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 com
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.
대표청구항▼
1. 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 p
1. 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, anda 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. 2. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the flotation device includes a longitudinal dimension greater than a lateral dimension. 3. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the flotation device has a longitudinal stiffness along the longitudinal axis of the flotation device greater than a lateral stiffness along the lateral axis of the flotation device. 4. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the leading lateral surface is shaped so as to be a reciprocal shape of the trailing lateral surface. 5. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises: a first side rail skin, anda second side rail skin, wherein the first side rail skin and the second side rail skin inhibit water from penetrating into the body through the first side rail skin and the second side rail skin. 6. The flotation device of claim 5, wherein the skins are formed from the foam material during the extrusion process. 7. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein the flotation device is configured to have a lateral curvature when viewed in cross section that extends across the top surface and bottom surface of the flotation device. 8. The flotation device of claim 7, wherein the flotation device is configured to have a plurality of curves that extend across the top surface and bottom surface of the flotation device. 9. The flotation device of claim 8, wherein the lateral curvature that extends across the top surface is shaped so as to be reciprocal of the lateral curvature that extends across the bottom surface. 10. The flotation device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of curves includes: at least a central curve, andat least two perimeter curves. 11. The flotation device of claim 10, wherein the curvature of the central curve opens in an opposite direction from the curvature of the at least two perimeter curves. 12. The flotation device of claim 11, wherein the width of the curvature of the central curve is greater than the width of the curvature of the at least two perimeter curves. 13. 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, andfeeding 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, anda trailing lateral surface, wherein the trailing later surface is a cut surface formed by the rotary die cutter. 14. The method of manufacturing a flotation device according to claim 13, wherein the lateral shape of the flotation device defines a lateral curvature when viewed in cross section that extends across a top surface and a bottom surface of the flotation device andwherein the lateral curvature that extends across the top surface is shaped so as to be reciprocal of at least part of the lateral curvature that extends across the bottom surface,wherein the flotation device is configured to have a plurality of curves that extend across the top surface and bottom surface of the flotation device, and wherein the plurality of curves includes at least a central curve,wherein the plurality of curves are further formed to define at least two perimeter curves, and wherein the width of the curvature of the central curve is greater than the width of the curvature of the at least two perimeter curves. 15. The method of manufacturing a flotation device according to claim 13, wherein the rotary die cutter cuts the flexible cellular polyethylene foam to define the lateral trailing surface of one flotation device and the lateral leading surface of an ensuing flotation device at the same time. 16. The method of manufacturing a flotation device according to claim 13, wherein the rotary die cutter is configured to cut the extruded flexible cellular polyethylene foam at a time interval so as to create a flotation device having a greater longitudinal dimension compared to the lateral dimension of the flotation device. 17. The method of manufacturing a flotation device according to claim 13, wherein extruding the flexible cellular polyethylene foam further comprises extruding the flexible cellular polyethylene foam through a die so as to form a plurality of skins on each of the top surface, bottom surface, a first side rail surface and a second side rail surface of the flotation device. 18. The method of manufacturing a flotation device according to claim 16, wherein the rotary die cutter is configured to cut through the plurality of skins on each of the top surface, the bottom surface, and each of the side rail surfaces so as to create a leading lateral surface and a trailing lateral surface without a corresponding leading lateral skin or a trailing lateral skin. 19. The flotation device of claim 1 wherein the first side rail and the second side rail are substantially reciprocal in shape. 20. The flotation device of claim 5 wherein the top skin, the first side rail skin, the bottom skin, and the second side rail skin are adjoining.
Phipps Arthur L. (Tallmadge OH) Stoyanov Ben (Akron OH), Foam extrusion apparatus having downstream upper and lower hinged shaping means and side restraining means.
D\Luzansky John S. (Mesa AZ) Panzica Anthony L. (Lexington KY) Ruble Steven B. (Lexington KY) Smith Herman A. (Lexington KY), Foam product for recreational products.
Layman, Jr., William J.; Mack, Arthur G.; Tsao, Techen; Aplin, Jeffrey Todd; Chew, Hoover; Luther, Douglas W., Low triphenylphosphate, high phosphorous content isopropyl phenyl phosphates with high ortho alkylation.
Layman, William J.; Mack, Arthur G.; Tsao, Techen; Aplin, Jeffrey Todd; Chew, Hoover; Luther, Douglas W., Low triphenylphosphate, high phosphorous content isopropyl phenyl phosphates with high ortho alkylation.
Collins Burley B. (1312 John McCain Colleyville TX 76034) Collins Miller D. (13919 Sugarberry Wds. San Antonio TX 78249), Method of manufacturing carped pads.
Layman, Jr., William J.; Mack, Arthur G.; Tsao, Techen; Aplin, Jeffrey T.; Chew, Hoover, Use of low triphenylphosphate, high phosphorous content isopropyl phenyl phosphates as flame retardants in polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.