Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Body supporting buoyant device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-04
2001-05-22
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3417)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Body supporting buoyant device
C441S131000, C114S346000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234857
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to flotation devices and more particularly to a non-inflatable flotation device for a pet animal.
Many pet owners enjoy bringing their pets along while enjoying recreational water activities such as swimming at the beach or pool. Most pets tire after swimming for a period of time or will not swim for extended periods of time. It would be desirable to have a flotation device on which the pet can float and rest while the owner swims or floats on the water.
Known recreational flotation devices include, for example, inflatable and non-inflatable floating chairs, inflatable rafts, inner tubes, and large substantially flat structures such as, for example, surfboards and boogie boards. These known devices are not suitable for pets, particularly the inflatable devices. Pets, such as dogs and cats have nails and claws on their paws that can puncture a wall of an inflatable device causing the device to leak air and sink. Additionally, pets can easily slip off flat flotation devices such as surfboards and boogie boards.
It would be desirable to provide a flotation device that can support a pet animal which will prevent the pet from slipping off the device. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a flotation device that is not affected by scratches and punctures caused by the pet animal's nails or claws. Further, it would be desirable to provide a flotation device that is easily manufactured.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects may be attained by a non-inflatable flotation device sized to support a pet animal. The non-inflatable flotation device includes a substantially flat non-inflatable buoyant base portion, and a non-inflatable buoyant rim wall extending from the base portion. The rim wall extends around the periphery of the base portion. A tow line connection lug extends from an edge of the base portion, and in one embodiment a tow line is connected to the connection lug.
The non-inflatable base portion and the non-inflatable rim wall are formed from a resilient foam having a density less than water. The resilient foam is made from polyurethane resins or polystyrene beads. The resilient foam may be rigid, semi rigid, or flexible. A protective layer covers all outer surfaces of the flotation device. The protective layer is formed from a protective coating applied to the outer surfaces by any suitable method, for example spraying or dipping.
The above described non-inflatable flotation device can support a pet animal and includes a rim wall which prevents the pet from slipping off the flotation device. Additionally, because the above described flotation device is non-inflatable, it is not affected by scratches and punctures caused by the pet animal's nails or claws. Further, the above described flotation device is easily manufactured by the use of known foam molding techniques and known coatings application techniques for example spraying and dipping.
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Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Swinehart Ed
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