IPR 2016-01794
`American Vehicular Sciences
`Exhibit 2035
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`5,458,517
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 \of 4
`
`5,458,517
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`5,458,517
`
`Fig.4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`5,458,517
`
`Fig. 8
`
`
`
`/04
`
`Fig.7
`
`/02
`
`/00
`
`

`

`5,458,517
`
`
`
`1
`FLOAT WITH SUN SHADE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`invention relates to recreational flotation
`The present
`devices and more particularly pertains to a float with sun
`shade which may be employed to float a human on a body
`of water while simultaneously providing shade from the sun
`for a portion of the human.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`The use of rafts and flotation devices is known in the prior
`art. More specifically, rafts and flotation devices heretofore
`devised and utilized for flotation of a human body upon a
`body of water are known to consist basically of familiar,
`expected and obvious structural configurations, notwith-
`standing the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded
`prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of
`countless objectives and requirements.
`The present invention is directed to improving devices for
`a float with sun shade in a manner which is safe, secure,
`economical and aesthetically pleasing.
`For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,033 to Chang discloses
`a multipurpose and inflatable raft. The Chang invention
`comprises an inflatable circular raft unit, an inflatable spheri-
`cal raft unit, and an inflatable back seat wherein each raft
`unit has several retainer plates disposed thereon for the
`purpose of interconnection and providing a raft of high
`buoyancy susceptible to introduction of a pedaling device.
`The Chang invention has no provision for shielding humans
`disposed thereupon from sunlight. The present invention
`comprises a raftlike floatation device having a sun screening
`provision for all or portions of a human disposed thereupon.
`In U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,102 to Hull a recreational raft
`apparatus is disclosed comprising an inflatable raft portion
`with an inflatable pillow and at least one closable pocket
`portion, and furthermore includes a clip fastened towel cover
`for the topmost side of the invention. There is no provision
`in the Hull invention for shading the user from sunlight. The
`present invention comprises an inflatable raft having a sun
`shade which screens potentially harmful sunlight from a
`human disposed thereupon.
`In U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,447 to Spinosa et a1. an inflatable
`life raft is disclosed comprising an inflatable passenger
`receptacle having a removable canopy for covering the
`passenger receptacle. The Spinosa et a1. invention treats a
`non-recreational life raft having pockets for survival gear
`and automated inflation devices, and furthermore the user of
`the Spinosa et a1 invention is disposed therein in a substan-
`tially seated position wherein the raft conforms to the
`buttocks, back, and legs of the user. The Spinosa invention
`has a plurality of bleeder cords in communicating air cham-
`bers thereby facilitating inflation and deflation during emer-
`gencies. The removable canopy is devised to protect the user
`from the eifects of waves and high winds and, although
`effective as a sunshade, does not provide for free air flow
`therethrough wherein the user is susceptible to extreme
`discomfort and dehydration if the Spinosa et a1. raft is used
`for recreational purposes in warm weather. The present
`invention comprises a substantially planar inflatable raft
`having a sun shade disposed upon an inflatable raft portion
`thereof. The sun shade of the present invention may be an
`inflatable section or an unrolling shade, or a meshlike screen
`susceptible to blocking a portion of sunlight passing there—
`through yet permitting substantially free passage of breezes.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6O
`
`65
`
`2
`In U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,909 to Pizzo an inflatable raft
`construction and method is disclosed for simplified con-
`struction of substantially right angle tubular joints in inflat-
`able rafts. A disadvantage in this prior art lies in a lack of
`provision for attaching a sun shade to a raft so constructed,
`and furthermore the Pizzo invention requires substantially
`orthogonal disposition of tubular communicating raft por-
`tions. The present invention requires disposition of a sun
`shade upon a portion of the raft structure and additionally the
`present invention does not generally employ orthogonally
`disposed communicating tubular portions.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,086 to Heim discloses an inflatable
`tent. The disclosure teaches a tent having a flexible canopy,
`a floor, and a series of inflatable tubes serving as frame
`hoops. The disclosure makes no provision for flotation of
`humans for recreational purposes. Furthermore, there are no
`provisions for a partial enclosure forming a sun shade. The
`present invention comprises a raftlike inflatable flotation
`device having a fixed or deployable sun shade disposed
`thereon.
`
`'In this respect, the float with sun shade according to the
`present invention substantially departs from the conven-
`tional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing
`provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose
`of providing recreational flotation of humans with substan—
`tial protection from sunlight.
`Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a con-
`tinuing need for new and improved floats with sun shades
`which can be employed for recreational human flotation
`without the potentially adverse action of sunlight. In this
`regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
`As illustrated by the background art, elforts are continu-
`ously being made in an attempt to improve raftlike flotation
`devices. No prior effort, however, provides the benefits
`attendant with the present invention. Additionally, the prior
`patents and commercial
`techniques do not suggest
`the
`present
`inventive combination of component elements
`arranged and configured as disclosed and claimed herein.
`The present invention achieves its intended purposes,
`objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvi-
`ous combination of method steps and component elements,
`with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at
`a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only
`readily available materials.
`
`blocking a substantial portion of sunlight whereby an user
`
`7 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the
`known types of rafts, and inflatable flotation devices now
`present in the prior art, the present invention provides an
`improved float with sun shade construction wherein the
`same can be utilized for recreational human flotation in
`direct sunlight while shielding the human at least in part
`from receiving a significant solar radiation dosage. As such,
`the general purpose of the present invention, which will be
`described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new
`and improved float with sun shade apparatus and method
`which has all the advantages of the prior art rafts and human
`flotation devices and none of the disadvantages.
`The invention is defined by the appended claims with the
`specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For
`the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention
`may be incorporated into an air inflatable raftlike flotation
`device having a canopy disposed over a portion thereof
`wherein the canopy comprises a member susceptible to
`
`

`

`
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5,458,517
`
`may enjoy flotation for extended periods without receiving
`a significant dosage of solar radiation. The canopy may
`comprise a detachable meshlike screen, an opaque flexible
`panel, or a translucent solar radiation filtering panel.
`There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
`important features of the invention in order that the detailed
`description thereof that follows may be better understood,
`and in order that the present contribution to the art may be
`better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features
`of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which
`will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
`In as much as the foregoing has outlined rather broadly the
`more pertinent and important features of the present inven—
`tion in order that the detailed description of the invention
`that follows may be better understood so that the present
`contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Addi-
`tional features of the invention will be described hereinafter
`which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It
`should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
`conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures
`may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing
`other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the
`present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in
`the art that such equivalent methods and structures do not
`depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth
`in the appended claims.
`In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
`of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
`invention is not limited in its application to the details of
`construction and to the arrangements of the components set
`forth in the following description or illustrated in the draw-
`ings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
`being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is
`to be understood that
`the phraseology and terminology
`employed herein are for the purpose of description and
`should not be regarded as limiting.
`As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
`conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily
`be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures,
`methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes
`of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the
`claims be regarded as including such equivalent construc-
`tions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope
`of the present invention.
`Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable
`the US. Patent and Trademark Oflice and the public gen-
`erally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitio-
`ners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms
`or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspec-
`tion the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the
`application. The abstract is neither intended to define the
`invention of the application, which is measured by the
`claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the
`invention in any way.
`Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide an improved float with sun shade wherein a flotation
`device is equipped with a sun shade for the purpose of
`limiting human solar exposure of individual users thereof.
`It is therefore an additional object of the present invention
`to provide a new and improved float with sun shade which
`has all the advantages of the prior art rafts and flotation
`devices and none of the disadvantages.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`new and improved float with sun shade which may be easily
`and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`new and improved float with sun shade which is of a durable
`and reliable construction.
`
`An even further object of the present invention is to
`provide a new and improved float with sun shade which is
`susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both
`materials and labor, and which accordingly is then suscep-
`tible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby
`making such float with sun shades economically available to
`the buying public.
`Still yet another object of the present invention is to
`provide a new and improved float with sun shade which
`provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art
`some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously over-
`coming some of the disadvantages normally associated
`therewith.
`
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`a new and improved float with sun shade having a meshlike
`sun shade limiting the solar radiation passing therethrough
`whilst permitting substantially free flow of air therethrough.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
`new and improved float with sun shade wherein the float
`portion is readily inflatable using foot and hand inflators, or
`other compressed air sources.
`Even still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a new and improved float with sun shade wherein
`the sun shade portion is susceptible to removal or stowage
`within the float structure.
`
`These together with other objects of the invention, along
`with the various features of novelty which characterize the
`invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
`annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
`understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
`the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be
`had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in
`which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the
`invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the more
`pertinent objects of this invention. These objects should be
`construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more
`prominent features and applications of the present invention.
`Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the
`disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying
`the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accord-
`ingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the inven-
`tion may be had by referring to the summary of the invention
`and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in
`addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be better understood and objects other
`than those set forth above will become apparent when
`consideration is given to the following detailed description
`thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed
`drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the float with sun shade
`showing flotation thereof within a swimming pool.
`FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of the float with sun
`shade in a side shading position.
`FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a float with sun shade
`
`taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section
`line 3—3 of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a float with sun shade
`
`taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section
`line 4—4 of FIG. 2.
`
`
`
`

`

`5,458,517
`
`
`
`5
`FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a float with sun shade
`taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section
`line 5—5 of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the float with sun shade
`taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section
`line 6—6 of FIG. 3.
`
`FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side sectional view of a float with
`sun shade taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the
`section line 7—7 of FIG. 5.
`
`FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of
`the float with sun shade denoted by the numeral 8 of FIG. 4.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
`FIG. 1 thereof, a new and improved float with sun shade
`embodying the principles and concepts of the present inven-
`tion and generally designated by the reference numeral 10
`will be described.
`
`From an overview standpoint, the float with sun shade 10
`is adapted for use with a body of water 12 such as pool 14.
`See FIG. 1. The float with sun shade 10 comprises a raftlike
`flotation portion 16 having disposed thereon a sun shade
`support portion 18 and a pull down sun shade 20. In use, a
`human lies upon the raftlike flotation portion 16 having their
`head positioned at an and of the raftlike flotation portion 16
`substantially beneath the sun shade support portion 18 and
`manually moves pull down sun shade 20 to one side or
`another to effectively block sunlight from reaching the
`user’s face.
`
`More specifically, it will be noted that the float with sun
`shade 10 comprises raftlike flotation portion 16 which is
`formed into sun shade support portion 18 by a first ninety
`degree bend 30 and a second ninety degree bend 32. See
`FIG. 2. Raftlike flotation portion 16 comprises a multi-
`compartmented polymeric structure susceptible to being
`inflated by introduction of a volume of air therewithin.
`Raftlike portion 16 has a first end portion 34, a central
`portion 36, and a second end portion 38. First end portion 34
`is a free end thereof and is rounded forming a smoothly
`curving terminating surface 40. Second end portion 38
`terminates at first ninety degree bend 30 of sun shade
`support portion 18. Central portion 36 comprises a plurality
`of inflated communicating compartments 50 thereby pro-
`viding a significant buoyant force adequate to furnish flo-
`tation of a human disposed thereupon. See FIG. 3. Commu-
`nicating compartments 50 are bonded or otherwise joined at
`seams 52. Ports 54 disposed between adjoining compart-
`ments 56 and 58 permits air flow communicatively there-
`through. Raftlike flotation portion 16 may be of vinyl or
`rubberized cloth composition, or any other construct which
`provides a durable inflatable platform substantially unaf-
`fected by water contact and sunlight impingement.
`Sun shade support portion 18 comprises an extension of
`a first compartment 60 and a second compartment 62
`wherein first and second compartments 60 and 62 are the
`outermost of communicating compartments 50. See FIG. 4.
`First compartment 60 and second compartment 62 form sun
`shade support portion 18 by a framelike structure compris-
`ing first ninety degree bend 30, first tubular support portion
`64, second ninety degree bend 32, second tubular support
`portion 66, third ninety degree bend 68, support interface
`tube 70, fourth ninety degree bend 72, third tubular support
`portion 74,
`fifth ninety degree bend 76, fourth tubular
`support portion 78, and sixth ninety degree bend 80. See
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`
`FIG. 5. First ninety degree bend 30 and sixth ninety degree
`bend 80 comprise extensions of compartments 60 and 62
`wherein a right angular bend is made thereto without sub-
`stantial change in the free internal diameter of either com-
`partment 60 or compartment 62.
`First ninety degree bend 30 and sixth ninety degree bend
`80 result in a substantially parallel disposition of first tubular
`support portion 64 and fourth tubular support portion 78, and
`furthermore result in a substantially orthogonal disposition
`of first tubular support portion 64 and fourth tubular support
`portion 78 with respect to a plane substantially containing a
`major surface of raftlike flotation portion 16. Second ninety
`degree bend 32 and fifth ninety degree bend 76 result in a
`substantially parallel disposition of second tubular support
`portion 66 and third tubular support portion 74, and further-
`more result in a substantially parallel disposition of second
`tubular support portion 66 and third tubular support portion
`74 with respect to a plane substantially containing a major
`surface of raftlike flotation portion 16. Third ninety degree
`bend 68 and fourth ninety degree bend 72 provide a dispo—
`sition of support interface tube 70 wherein support interface
`tube 70 lies in a plane substantially parallel to a plane
`substantially containing a major surface of raftlike flotation
`portion 16.
`Referring again to FIG. 4 and to FIG. 5 pull down sun
`shade 20 comprises a first fixed shade portion 82, a second
`fixed shade portion 84, and a pull down portion 86. Pull
`down sun shade 20 may be of polymeric composition such
`as a substantially opaque vinyl sheet or as a meshlike screen
`wherein the vinyl sheet blocks sunlight and air flow, and the
`meshlike screen blocks a portion of sunlight and permits
`some air flow therethrough. First fixed shade portion 82 is
`affixed to second tubular support portion 66, third ninety
`degree bend 68, support interface tube 70, fourth ninety
`degree bend 72,
`third tubular support portion 74 by a
`continuous bond thereto wherein the continuous bond may
`be a weld or adhesive fastening. Second fixed shade portion
`84 is affixed to second ninety degree bend 32, first tubular
`support portion 64, first ninety degree bend 30, second end
`portion 38, sixth ninety degree bend 80, fourth tubular
`support portion 78, and fifth ninety degree bend 76 by a
`continuous bond thereto wherein the continuous bond may
`be a weld or adhesive fastening.
`First fixed shade portion 82 and second fixed shade
`portion 84 are joined in continuity along a line substantially
`joining second ninety degree bend 32 and fifth ninety degree
`bend 76. Pull down portion 86 comprises a flexible sheetlike
`member of similar or differing composition to the first fixed
`shade portion 82 and second fixed shade portion 84. Pull
`down portion 86 is aflixed along a single edge 90 to a
`centrally disposed region of first fixed shade portion 82
`thereby permitting disposition,under user control, on either
`side of float with sun shade 10. Pull down portion 86 has a
`weight 100 disposed within a tubular portion 102 formed at
`a free end 104 thereof. See FIG. 7. Weight 100 may be an
`elongated rod of metallic composition or may be a quantity
`of granular material such as sand disposed within tubular
`portion 102 wherein the ends of tubular portion 102 are
`necessarily sealed to preclude sand loss therefrom.
`Inflation of the float with sun shade 10 is achieved by
`passage of air through port 110. See FIG. 8. Port 110 has a
`closure cap 112 exteriorly disposed thereon and furthermore
`has an internal check valve facilitating the maintenance of
`air therewithin, however the check valve must be bypassed
`to produce deflation.
`
`As to the manner of usage and operation of the present
`
`

`

`
`
`7
`
`8
`
`5,458,517
`
`the same should be apparent from the above
`invention,
`description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to
`the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
`With respect to the above description then, it is to be
`realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the
`parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials,
`shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly
`and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one
`skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
`illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification
`are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
`Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
`of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
`modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled
`in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
`construction and operation shown and described, and
`accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may
`be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. In
`as much as the present disclosure includes that contained in
`the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing descrip-
`tion. Although this invention has been described in its
`preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is
`understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form
`has been made only by way of example and numerous
`changes in the details of construction and combination and
`arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing
`from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected
`by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:
`1. A float and sun shade for preventing portions of
`sunlight from reaching a human wherein the human is
`disposed upon a float comprising, in combination:
`an inflatable floatation device comprising a plurality of
`elongated air fillable compartments bonded together
`thereby forming a surface and furthermore the air
`fillable compartments so bonded have a series of air
`passages communicativer disposed therebetween, the
`inflatable floatation device having an extension com-
`prising a first right angle bend of a first extended
`elongated air fillable compartment and a second right
`angle bend of a second extended elongated air fillable
`compartment wherein the first and second elongated air
`fillable compartments being outermost compartments
`forming the inflatable floatation device, the floatation
`device integral with a first and second elongated further
`extension of the extended first and second extended
`
`elongated air fillable compartments, the extended first
`and second extended elongated air fillable compart-
`ments integral with a third right angle bend of the first
`elongated further extension and a fourth right angle
`bend of the second elongated further extension, the first
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`and second elongated further extension integral with a
`third and fourth elongated further extension of the first
`and second elongated air fillable compartments, the
`first and second elongated air fillable compartments
`integral with a fifth right angle bend of the third
`elongated further extension and a sixth right angle bend
`of the fourth elongated further extension, the fourth
`elongated further extension integral with a singular
`elongated interface substantially forming an elongated
`fifth further extension of the first and second elongated
`air fillable compartments;
`an adjustable means for blocking a portion of sunlight
`otherwise impinging upon the inflatable floatation
`device, the adjustable means supported by the exten-
`sion of the inflatable floatation device, the adjustable
`means having a first fixed portion and a second adjust-
`able portion, the first fixed portion aflixed at edges
`thereof to the first right angle bend, the second right
`angle bend, the first elongated further extension, the
`second elongated further extension,
`the third right
`angle bend,
`the fourth right angle bend,
`the third
`elongated further extension, the fourth elongated fur-
`ther extension, the fifth right angle bend, the sixth right
`angle bend, and singular elongated interface, the sec-
`ond adjustable portion afiixed at a first edge thereof to
`the first fixed portion along a centrally disposed narrow
`band in parallel disposition to the third elongated
`further extension and the fourth elongated further
`extension and furthermore the second adjustable por-
`tion having a weighting portion disposed along a sec-
`ond edge thereof wherein the second edge opposing the
`first edge.
`2. The float with sun shade of claim 1 in which the shade
`member comprises a continuous sheet of polymeric material
`susceptible to precluding harmful solar radiation passage
`therethrough.
`3. The float with sun shade of claim 1 in which the shade
`member comprises a mesh discontinuous sheet of material
`susceptible to precluding a portion of solar radiation passage
`therethrough wherein air flow therethrough is not substan—
`tially impeded.
`4. The float with sun shade of claim 1 in which the
`weighting portion comprising an elongated rod member
`disposed within a hem portion of the second edge of the
`second adjustable portion.
`5. The float with sun shade of claim 1 in which the
`weighting portion comprising a granular material of signifi-
`cant density disposed within a sealed hem portion of the
`second edge of the second adjustable portion wherein the
`hem portion is closed at free ends thereof.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`
`
`
`