Floatation device with adjustable air sealed bead chamber

Abstract

A floatation device including a top surface and a bottom surface coupled to the top surface along a perimeter of the top surface, an interior bladder surface disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein outer edges of the interior bladder surface are sealed to interior edges of the bottom surface to define a bladder chamber. The floatation device can include a plurality of buoyancy beads disposed within the bladder chamber, and a valve unit in fluid communication with the bladder chamber and configured to selectively adjust air pressure within the bladder chamber.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 780,772 filed on Mar. 31, 2025, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept relate to floatation devices, and in particular relate to a novel floatation device having an adjustable air sealed bead chamber to enable a user to float on water while lounging, sitting, or laying on the device.BACKGROUND

[0003] Floatation devices configured to support users on water are widely known and commonly include air-filled structures, foam bodies, or enclosures containing buoyant particulate materials such as beads. Among these, bead-filled floatation devices are often designed to provide a flexible, body-conforming surface that enhances user comfort.

[0004] However, conventional bead-filled floatation devices typically employ mesh or otherwise permeable bottom surfaces intended to retain the beads while allowing water to pass through the device. Such constructions present several disadvantages. For example, mesh openings may permit deformation and escape of the beads under compressive loading, leading to material loss and reduced performance over time. Additionally, the permeable nature of these designs allows water to enter and accumulate within the interior of the device, causing the device to become significantly heavier when removed from the water and requiring time-consuming drainage.

[0005] Further, many known bead-filled floatation devices utilize polystyrene beads as the buoyant material. Polystyrene beads are susceptible to crushing, deformation, and long-term brittleness, which can degrade floatation performance. Moreover, polystyrene materials present environmental concerns due to limited recyclability and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions.

[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved floatation device that prevents bead escape, inhibits water retention, provides enhanced durability, and offers improved environmental sustainability, while maintaining or improving user comfort and buoyancy performance.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept relate to a floatation device incorporating buoyant particulate materials. Some embodiments provide a floatation device having a sealed internal bladder chamber configured to contain buoyancy beads while preventing both bead escape and water ingress, thereby improving durability, usability, and environmental performance relative to conventional floatation devices.

[0008] In example embodiments, the floatation device includes a top surface and a bottom surface coupled together along a perimeter. An interior bladder surface is disposed between a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein outer edges of the interior bladder surface are sealed to interior edges of the bottom surface to define a bladder chamber positioned between the top and bottom surfaces. The bladder chamber can be configured to contain a plurality of buoyancy beads, which may be partially or fully filling the chamber to provide desired buoyancy characteristics.

[0009] In some embodiments, the bottom surface comprises a non-mesh geosynthetic fabric having a substantially continuous structure free of apertures or openings extending therethrough. This non-mesh configuration eliminates reliance on aperture size for bead retention and prevents escape of buoyancy beads, even under compressive loading conditions. Additionally, the sealed bladder chamber inhibits ingress of water into the chamber, thereby preventing water retention within the floatation device and maintaining a substantially constant weight during and after use.

[0010] In some embodiments, the buoyancy beads comprise expanded polypropylene (EPP) beads. EPP beads provide improved resilience, resistance to crushing and long-term degradation, and enhanced environmental sustainability relative to conventional polystyrene beads, including improved recyclability.

[0011] In some embodiments, the floatation device further includes a valve unit in fluid communication with the bladder chamber. The valve unit enables selective adjustment of air pressure within the bladder chamber, allowing a user to modify firmness, contour, and buoyancy characteristics of the device. In certain embodiments, the valve unit is accessible through a selectively openable portion of the floatation device, such as a releasable corner region secured by a removable fastening mechanism.

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a floatation device that combines a sealed bead-containing chamber, a non-mesh barrier structure, environmentally improved buoyancy materials, and a user-adjustable air system to deliver enhanced performance, durability, and customization relative to known floatation devices.

[0013] Additional features and embodiments of the present general inventive concept will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the present patent application.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] The following figures are representative of example structures and functions configured to achieve example embodiments of the present general inventive concept. Additional features and embodiments of the present general inventive concept will be readily understood by those skilled in the applicable art with reference to the detailed description and accompanying figures, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pool float configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a focused view illustrating example components configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference will now be made to example embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0019] Referring to the attached images, example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can be achieved by providing a bean bag like structure 10 having a top surface 12 and a bottom surface 14 sealed together around the edges 15, including an bladder chamber 16 formed by an interior surface sealed against interior edges of the bottom surface to form a bag-like structure 10 wherein the inner bladder chamber 16 is partially or fully filled with buoyancy beads 18. The top surface can be formed of a fabric material designed to provide comfort to a user while also resisting environmental degradation, including resistance to ultraviolet radiation, saltwater, chlorine exposure, and mildew formation, while providing comfort to the user. The bottom surface can be formed of the same or different material than the top surface. For example, the bottom surface can be formed of the same material as the top surface, enabling the user to float comfortably on either side. Alternatively, the bottom surface can be formed of a different fabric material specifically designed for durability, which can be useful when the floatation device is intended to be used on or to contact rough surfaces, concrete decks, pavers, etc.

[0020] Disposed between the top and bottom surfaces is an interior bladder surface 19 configured to define the bladder chamber 16. In particular, outer edges 20 of the interior bladder surface are sealed to interior edges 21 of the bottom surface, thereby forming a sealed bladder chamber 16 positioned between the top and bottom surfaces. In some embodiments, this internal sealing arrangement may be spaced inward from the perimeter seal joining the top and bottom surfaces, such that the bladder chamber is defined independently of the outer enclosure.

[0021] The bladder chamber 16 is configured to contain a plurality of buoyancy beads 18 and air 22. In some embodiments, the beads may partially fill the bladder chamber, allowing for redistribution of the beads within the chamber in response to user movement, thereby enabling the floatation device to conform to the user's body. In other embodiments, the bladder chamber may be substantially filled with beads to provide increased firmness and buoyancy.

[0022] In contrast to conventional bead-filled floatation devices, the bottom surface in example embodiments comprises a non-mesh geosynthetic fabric having a substantially continuous structure without apertures extending therethrough. This construction prevents the escape of buoyancy beads without relying on bead size relative to openings. Additionally, because the bladder chamber is sealed and the bottom surface lacks mesh openings, water is substantially prevented from entering the bladder chamber during use. As a result, the floatation device does not retain water within the chamber and does not experience the significant weight increase commonly associated with mesh-bottom bead-filled devices. This allows the floatation device to be easily removed from water without the need for draining accumulated water.

[0023] In some embodiments, the buoyancy beads comprise expanded polypropylene (EPP) beads. EPP beads are resilient and resistant to crushing and deformation, thereby maintaining buoyancy performance over repeated use cycles. Additionally, EPP beads are less prone to brittleness over time compared to polystyrene beads. From an environmental standpoint, EPP beads are recyclable and represent a more sustainable alternative to polystyrene materials, which are subject to regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions and are generally not recycled.

[0024] To facilitate input and release of air from the bladder chamber, the floatation bag 10 includes a valve unit 25 in fluid communication with the bladder chamber 16. The valve unit 25 enables a user to selectively introduce or release air within the bladder chamber. By adjusting the air pressure within the chamber, the user can modify characteristics of the floatation device, including firmness, contour, and buoyancy. For example, increasing air pressure may provide a firmer and more buoyant configuration, while decreasing air pressure may allow the device to more closely conform to the user's body for enhanced comfort.

[0025] In some embodiments, the valve unit is positioned proximate a corner 26 of the interior bladder surface, wherein corresponding portions of the top and bottom surfaces near this corner may be releasably secured using a removable fastening mechanism, such as a hook-and-loop fastener 30. This arrangement allows the user to selectively open the corner of the floatation device to access the valve unit for adjustment, while maintaining a closed and protected configuration during normal use. In certain embodiments, the valve unit is concealed within the floatation device when the releasable portion is closed.

[0026] The combination of a sealed internal bladder chamber, a non-mesh geosynthetic barrier, expanded polypropylene beads, and a user-adjustable air valve system provides a floatation device that offers improved durability, reduced maintenance, enhanced environmental sustainability, and customizable performance characteristics. These features collectively represent a significant improvement over conventional floatation devices.

[0027] In some embodiments, the top surface can be formed of a SPV sun protected material, such as 100% polypropylene fabric which has been proven in the high-end yacht industry to provide strength and comfort that lasts. The bottom surface can be formed of a monofilament geosynthetic fabric that is configured to be highly UV stabilized, extremely durable (e.g., 400 lbs. tensile strengths, mullen bursts up to 700 psi), and impervious to mildew and rot. Unlike prior bead-filled floats, the geosynthetic fabric bottom surface of the present general inventive concept has no holes in the fabric, thus preventing beads from escaping as can happen with existing “MESH” bottom devices. This is because in known mesh-bottom devices, the holes in the mesh are typically smaller than the beads within the bladder, but it is possible for the beads to squeeze through the mesh and escape the device. In contrast, the Geosynthetic Fabric Bottom used in embodiments of the present general inventive concept is not a mesh at all. Rather, it is an environmentally friendly material that has been proven effective across many industries with years of continuous outdoor use.

[0028] The valve unit enables a user to adjust the air pressure within the bead-filled bladder chamber. In some embodiments, the valve unit can be located proximate a corner of the interior bladder surface, wherein the corresponding corner edges of the top and bottom surfaces are sealed using a removable seal, such as Velcro, enabling a user to open the corner of the device to access the valve to adjust the air pressure within the bladder chamber, as shown. In this way, by adjusting the air in the bladder, a user can contour the floatation device to their body and / or make the device firmer or softer, or more or less buoyant. This provides a user with a degree of customization not available with other known bead filled floats.

[0029] Another advantage of the present sealed bead chamber is that the device does not fill with water, thus preventing the float from becoming excessively heavy when the float is being removed from a pool. In contrast, known bead-filled floats having mesh bottoms can retain water within the chamber, thus becoming very heavy until the water can be drained out from the chamber. Known floats are also less than satisfactory in that they use Polystyrene Beads, which provide buoyancy, but can be easily crushed and deformed and become brittle over time. Moreover, polystyrene material is banned in many states and is generally not recycled. In contrast, example embodiments of the present general inventive concept utilize EPP Beads (Expanded Polypropylene). EPP beads are 100% Recyclable, and overall a more environmentally friendly option.

[0030] Conventional floatation devices incorporating buoyant particulate materials, such as bead-filled floats, typically rely on mesh-bottom constructions or permeable barriers to retain internal beads while allowing water to pass through the device. These configurations present several well-recognized deficiencies. For example, mesh openings, even when sized smaller than the beads, can permit deformation and escape of the beads under compressive loading. Additionally, such mesh-based designs allow water to enter and accumulate within the interior chamber, resulting in significant weight gain and reduced usability when removing the device from a body of water. Furthermore, many known bead-filled floatation devices utilize polystyrene beads, which are susceptible to crushing, deformation, and long-term brittleness, and which present environmental concerns due to limited recyclability and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions.

[0031] The present invention departs from these conventional approaches by providing a floatation device having a sealed internal bladder chamber formed by an interior bladder surface sealed to the bottom surface, in combination with a non-mesh geosynthetic fabric bottom surface having a substantially continuous structure free of openings. This configuration eliminates the reliance on aperture size relative to bead size for containment, thereby preventing bead escape even under compressive forces. In addition, the sealed bladder chamber inhibits ingress of water, thereby preventing water retention within the device and maintaining a substantially constant weight during and after use.

[0032] Further, the use of expanded polypropylene (EPP) beads provides enhanced durability relative to conventional polystyrene beads, including improved resistance to crushing and long-term degradation, while also offering environmental advantages due to recyclability. The incorporation of a user-adjustable air valve in fluid communication with the sealed bladder chamber enables selective adjustment of internal air pressure, thereby allowing a user to modify firmness, contour, and buoyancy characteristics of the device. This hybrid system of compressible particulate material combined with adjustable air pressure provides a level of customization not achievable with conventional bead-filled or air-filled floatation devices alone.

[0033] The combination of (i) a sealed internal bladder chamber defined independently of the outer perimeter, (ii) a non-mesh geosynthetic barrier preventing both bead escape and water ingress, (iii) the use of EPP beads, and (iv) an air-adjustable valve system for user-controlled performance characteristics, provide a number of advantages over known devices, such as improved durability, elimination of water retention, enhanced environmental sustainability, and user-selectable buoyancy and comfort. The integration of these features is neither taught nor suggested by known floatation devices, and would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of conventional mesh-based bead containment systems or traditional air-inflated floatation structures.

[0034] As illustrated and described herein, example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can be achieved by providing a floatation device including a top surface 12 and a bottom surface 14 coupled together along a perimeter edge 15, with an interior bladder surface 19 disposed between the top and bottom surfaces. The interior bladder surface can be configured such that outer edges of the bladder surface are sealed to interior edges of the bottom surface to define a bladder chamber positioned between the top and bottom surfaces.

[0035] In some embodiments, the bladder chamber can contain a plurality of buoyancy beads, wherein the beads comprise expanded polypropylene (EPP) beads. The bladder chamber can be partially filled or fully filled with the beads to achieve desired buoyancy characteristics, and the beads can be configured to redistribute within the chamber in response to user movement.

[0036] In some embodiments, the bottom surface can comprise a non-mesh geosynthetic fabric having a substantially continuous structure that is free of apertures or openings extending therethrough. The geosynthetic fabric bottom surface can be configured to prevent escape of the buoyancy beads without reliance on bead size relative to openings, and further can be configured to inhibit ingress of water into the bladder chamber during use.

[0037] In some embodiments, the bladder chamber can be sealed such that water is substantially prevented from entering the chamber, thereby preventing water retention within the floatation device and enabling the device to maintain a substantially constant weight when removed from a body of water.

[0038] In some embodiments, the floatation device can further include a valve unit in fluid communication with the bladder chamber, wherein the valve unit is configured to selectively adjust air pressure within the bladder chamber. Adjustment of the air pressure can be configured to modify at least one of firmness, contour, and buoyancy of the floatation device.

[0039] In some embodiments, the valve unit can be positioned proximate a corner portion of the interior bladder surface. Corresponding portions of the top surface and bottom surface proximate the corner can be releasably secured using a removable fastening mechanism, including but not limited to a hook-and-loop fastener, thereby enabling selective access to the valve unit while maintaining a closed and sealed configuration during normal use.

[0040] In some embodiments, the floatation device can include a hybrid buoyancy system in which the buoyancy beads and adjustable air pressure cooperate to provide user-selectable performance characteristics, including variable firmness, body-conforming support, and adjustable buoyancy.

[0041] In some embodiments, the top surface can be formed from a fabric material configured to resist environmental degradation, including resistance to sun exposure, saltwater, chlorine, and mildew, while providing a comfort-oriented surface for a user. The bottom surface can be formed from either the same material as the top surface to permit reversible use, or from a different material configured for enhanced durability and abrasion resistance when contacting rough surfaces.

[0042] In some embodiments, the floatation device can be configured such that the sealed bladder chamber is defined independently of the perimeter seal joining the top and bottom surfaces. In some embodiments, the bladder chamber can include one or more internal compartments configured to limit migration of the buoyancy beads.

[0043] In some embodiments, the floatation device can be configured to conform to a user's body when floating on water, and can be selectively adjustable between a relatively firm configuration and a relatively soft configuration based on internal air pressure.

[0044] In some embodiments, the floatation device can be configured for use in pools, lakes, or marine environments, and can maintain structural integrity and buoyancy performance under repeated exposure to water and environmental conditions.

[0045] In some embodiments, the use of expanded polypropylene beads can provide improved durability, resistance to crushing and brittleness, and enhanced environmental sustainability relative to polystyrene-based materials, including improved recyclability.

[0046] Certain implementations of the disclosed technology are described herein with reference to exemplary images to aid the understanding of the novel configurations, functions, operations, structures, and methods of the present general inventive concept, not to limit the scope of the present general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A floatation device comprising:a top surface;a bottom surface coupled to the top surface along a perimeter of the top surface;an interior bladder surface disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein outer edges of the interior bladder surface are sealed to interior edges of the bottom surface to define a bladder chamber;a plurality of buoyancy beads disposed within the bladder chamber; anda valve unit in fluid communication with the bladder chamber and configured to selectively adjust air pressure within the bladder chamber,wherein the bottom surface comprises a non-mesh geosynthetic fabric having a continuous structure substantially free of openings; andwherein the bladder chamber is sealed to inhibit ingress of water and egress of the beads.

2. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the bladder chamber is substantially watertight.

3. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the bladder chamber prevents water ingress during submersion.

4. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the floatation device resists weight increase due to water absorption.

5. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the floatation device is configured to be removed from water without requiring drainage of water from the bladder chamber.

6. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the bladder chamber is sealed such that water is excluded independently of bead size.

7. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the beads are resilient to compression and resist permanent deformation.

8. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the beads maintain structural integrity under repeated loading cycles.

9. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the beads are recyclable.

10. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the beads are more resistant to brittleness over time than polystyrene beads.

11. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the beads provide improved durability relative to polystyrene beads.

12. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the beads are environmentally sustainable.

13. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the floatation device is configured to reduce environmental impact relative to polystyrene-based floatation devices.

14. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the non-mesh geosynthetic fabric bottom surface is impermeable to water under normal use conditions.

15. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface prevents both bead escape and water entry.

16. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface lacks apertures that would permit water flow into the bladder chamber.

17. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein adjustment of air pressure within the bladder chamber modifies buoyancy and firmness without introducing water into the chamber.

18. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the beads are expanded polypropylene (EPP) beads.

19. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the valve unit is accessible through a selectively openable portion of the top and bottom surfaces.

20. The floatation device of claim 19, wherein the selectively openable portion comprises a hook-and-loop fastener positioned proximate a corner of the device.

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