POOL FLOAT SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract

A support device is disclosed for storage of elongated pool floats (“noodles”) or other items having an elongated structure. The support device includes a body having a plurality of openings along its length. The openings may be cylindrical in shape having a wider portion within the body of the support device and a narrower portion at the edge of the support device. The items are inserted into the openings and held in place by friction and the narrower portion of the openings. Two support devices may be used jointly to hold the ends of the items.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/011,326, filed Jan. 17, 2008, currently pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for storage of implements having a generally straight, elongated handle or body portion. More particularly, it relates to a device for storing a plurality of such implements, such as storage of elongated pool floats, so as to be easily inserted and removed.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Elongated, cylindrical floats for use in a pool, commonly called “noodles”, have increased in popularity, particularly with children. These floats come in various sizes and colors. They are formed of an expanded plastic or foam. Typically, they have a hole through the central axis. They are flexible and tend to retain a bend or curvature along their length. Many accessories have been developed which utilize such floats. Accessories include seats, supports, and water squirting devices. However, storage of these floats is difficult. A horizontal box must be sufficiently long to accommodate the length of the floats. When stored vertically in a box or cabinet, they tend to bend so that they do not stay confined.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,105 discloses a device for hanging floats. However, this requires a support for the device sufficiently high to accommodate the length of the float. Typically, the floats are longer than children are tall. Thus, children are unable to reach the device and cannot store the floats on their own.

Due to the difficulties in storing long, cylindrical floats, they typically are left around the pool, or placed on the floor in a house. The floats can be a hazard to persons trying to move around the pool or in the room where the floats are stored. Therefore, a need exists for a device for storing floats which organizes them and can be used by children.

A variety of devices have been developed for storing items having an elongate structures, such as brooms, shovels, wrenches, fishing poles, and guns. Some such devices hang the items from a bracket. However, the item requires a wider portion to engage the bracket. Other devices required movement of parts to secure the items. Other devices do not hold the items and they can be knocked off the device. None of the known devices can be adapted to use with pool floats or other items having a similar elongated structure of a constant diameter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a support device for items having an elongated handle or body, such as a pool float. According to one aspect of the invention, the support device includes an opening to receive the item. The opening includes a wider portion in the body of the support device and a narrower portion at a front edge of the support device. The item can be inserted through the narrower portion into the wider portion. The narrower portion holds the item in place. According to another aspect of the invention, the support device is formed of a resilient material so that the narrower portion of the opening flexes when the item is inserted.

According to another aspect of the invention, the support device includes a plurality of parallel openings formed to receive a plurality of items. According to another aspect of the invention, the opening has a circular shape which extends past the front edge of the support device. According to another aspect of the invention, the wider portion of the opening is completely surrounded by the structure of the support device. The narrower portion of the opening is formed as slot between the front edge of the support device and the wider portion of the opening. According to another aspect of the invention, the sides of the slot are perpendicular to the front edge of the support device. According to another aspect of the invention, the sides of the slot are transverse to the front edge of the support device. According to another aspect of the invention, the wider portion of the opening has different shapes.

According to another aspect of the invention, the support device includes a plurality of spaced apart support devices. According to another aspect of the invention, the plurality of support devices are spaced apart horizontally. According to another aspect of the invention, the support devices are spaced apart vertically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a portion of the support device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the portion of the support device of FIG. 1 having an item stored therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views of portions of a support device according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a plurality of support devices according to embodiments of the present invention storing items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The support device 1 has particular use for storing elongated, cylindrical pool floats, or “noodles”, but based upon size and design, can be used to store any items having an elongated handle or body. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the support device 1 includes a body 10 having substantially rectangular sides. The body 10 of the support device 1 is elongated, having two ends 11, 12, two sides 13, 14, a front 15 and a back 16. An embodiment of the support device 1 is approximately 2 inches wide, 3 inches high, and 24 inches long. Of course, other sizes can easily be used. A plurality of openings 20, 21 are formed in the body 10 of support device 1. According to an embodiment, the support device includes six openings spaced along its length which are approximately 2.75 inches in diameter. The shape of the openings, according to an embodiment of the invention, is illustrated if FIG. 2A. The openings 20 have a substantially cylindrical shape which is perpendicular to the sides 13, 14 of the body 10. The cylindrical shape of the openings 20 are positioned towards the front edge 15 of the body 10 to create an opening along the front edge. The shape and positioning of the openings forms a wider portion 31 of the opening 20 away from the front edge 15 of the body 10 and a narrower portion 30 at the front edge. Although the support device is illustrated as having a plurality of openings, it may include a single opening, or any number of openings.

The support device 1 can be formed of any material. Preferably, it is formed of a resilient material so that the narrower portion 30 of the openings 20 can flex to receive the items. The material used and the amount of resiliency will depend upon the items for which the support device is intended. Pool floats are flexible and can be compressed when inserting the float through the narrower portion 30 of the opening 20. For other items which are less flexible, a more flexible material may be needed for the support device. The support device 1 may be formed of a plastic material, either foam or rigid. It may be formed of a rubber or other flexible material.

FIG. 2B illustrates the use of the support device 1 with a pool float 50 or other item. The wider portion 31 of the opening 20 is sized and shaped to fit the cross section of the pool float 50. When inserted, the pool float 50 fits within the wider portion 31 of the opening 20. The narrower portion 30 of the opening 20 extends in front of a portion of the pool float 50. A portion of the pool float further extends beyond the front edge of the support device. The pool float is retained in position by friction with the sides of the opening. FIG. 2B illustrates a pool float 50 of substantially the same size and shape as the opening 20. Depending upon the configuration of the opening 20 and the materials used, the support device 1 may accommodate items having various shapes and diameters. Some items may be less tightly held than other items. The support device may include openings of different sizes for holding items of different diameters.

The support device 1 and the openings 20 can have various shapes and structures depending upon the desired needs. FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a support device 2. In this embodiment, the body 100 of the support device includes two rounded ends 110, 120. The openings 200, 210 are illustrated in FIG. 4A. In this embodiment, the openings 200 are also cylindrical in shape, but are completely enclosed by the body 100 of the support device. A slot is formed between the cylindrical opening 200 and the front edge 150 of the support device. With the slot, the opening 200 still has a wider portion 310 and a narrower portion 300, to retain the item in position. The slot may have angled sides 305. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A includes sharp corners at the edges of the slots. Of course, any corner may be rounded rather than sharp.

FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment for the openings 200′. In this embodiment, the opening 200′ is oval in cross section. A slot 302 has sides perpendicular to the front edge 150 of the support device. Of course, any shape or design may be used.

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of the support device 1 to hold pool floats 50, 51 or other items. Preferably, two support devices 1, 1′ are spaced apart to hold the ends of the pool floats 50, 51. FIG. 5 illustrates the two support devices being spaced apart to hold the pool floats horizontally. They may also be spaced apart to hold the pool floats vertically. A single support device may be used. It could be positioned in the middle of the pool floats, or could be positioned to hold one end of the pool floats with the other end being supported on the ground. The support devices 1, 1′ can be attached to a fixed surface, such as a wall, fence, or side of an above-ground pool. They may be attached to the side or top of a pool box holding other items. Preferably, the support devices are attached to a vertical surface, but may be used on a horizontal surface. The support devices may be attached to the surface with nails, screws, glue, double sided tape, ties, or Velcro®. The support devices may be removably or permanently attached to the fixed surface.

Having disclosed at least one embodiment of the present invention, various adaptations, modifications, additions, and improvements will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such adaptations, modifications, additions and improvements are considered part of the invention which is only limited by the several claims attached hereto.

Claims

1. A support device for holding elongated items comprising:

a elongated base of a resilient material having substantially parallel sides along its length and a front face extending between the parallel sides; and

at least one opening in the front face of the elongated base between the parallel sides to receive an elongated item, the opening having a first portion of a first width and a second portion having a second width wider than the first width, the first portion being closer to the front face than the second portion.

2. The support device for holding elongated items according to claim 1 wherein the opening has a substantially circular cross section.

3. The support device for holding elongated items according to claim 2 wherein front face intersects a portion of the substantially circular cross section of the opening.

4. The support device for holding elongated items according to claim 1 wherein the second portion of the opening has a substantially regular shaped cross section and wherein the first portion of the opening includes a slot between the second portion and the front face.

5. The support device for holding elongated items according to claim 4 wherein the substantially regular shape is a circle.

6. The support device for holding elongated items according to claim 1 wherein the substantially regular shape is an oval.

7. The support device for holding elongated items according to claim 1 wherein the slot is wider towards the front face than towards second portion.

8. The support device for holding elongated items according to claim 1 wherein the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings along the length of the base.

9. The support device for holding elongated items according to claim 1, wherein the elongated item includes an elongated pool float.

10. A support device for holding elongated items comprising:

a first elongated of a resilient material having substantially parallel sides along its length and a front face extending between the parallel sides;

at least one opening in the front face of the first elongated base between the parallel sides to receive a first part of the elongated item, the opening having a first portion of a first width and a second portion having a second width wider than the first width, the first portion being closer to the front face than the second portion;

a second elongated base of a resilient material having substantially parallel sides along its length and a front face extending between the parallel sides;

at least one opening in the front face of the second elongated base between the parallel sides to receive a second part of the elongated item separated from the first part, the opening having a first portion of a first width and a second portion having a second width wider than the first width, the first portion being closer to the front face than the second portion; and

wherein the first elongated base and second elongated base are positioned such that the respective at least one openings are aligned.

11. A support device for holding elongated items comprising:

a support attachable to a surface;

at least two extensions extending from the support which are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other;

at least one end extending from each of the at least two extensions towards an adjacent extension; and

wherein an elongated item can be received in the space between the support, extensions and ends.

12. The support device for elongated items according to claim 11 wherein the space between the support, extensions and ends has a substantially circular cross section.

13. The support device for elongated items according to claim 11 wherein the ends are of a resilient material.

14. The support device for elongated items according to claim 11 wherein the support, extensions and ends are formed as a unified structure of a single material.

15. The support device for elongated items according to claim 11 wherein the at least two extensions include at least three extensions such that at least two spaces exist for receiving elongated items.