Collapsible flotation device
View Patent ↗A device comprises a spring and a sleeve. The spring is configured to form a closed loop. The spring is moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded. The spring defines a circumference while in the uncoiled configuration. The spring is disposed within the sleeve.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first flexible material having an outer perimeter portion;
a second flexible material defining an interior volume and an inner perimeter portion, the inner perimeter portion of the second flexible material being coupled to the outer perimeter portion of the first flexible material;
a spring disposed within the interior volume of the second flexible material, the spring forming a closed loop and being moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded; and
an inflatable bladder disposed within the interior volume of the second flexible material.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the second flexible material defines a substantially toroidal shape when the inflatable bladder is inflated and the spring is in the uncoiled configuration.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an inflatable bladder valve accessible from outside of the second flexible material, the inflatable bladder valve configured to communicate air to at least a portion of the inflatable bladder.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first inflatable bladder valve accessible from outside of the second flexible material, the inflatable bladder valve configured to communicate air to a portion of the inflatable bladder; and
a second inflatable bladder valve accessible from outside of the second flexible material, the second inflatable bladder valve configured to communicate air to a portion of the inflatable bladder different from the portion of inflatable bladder associated with the first inflatable bladder valve.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an inflatable pillow portion coupled to the first flexible material, the inflatable pillow portion disposed at least partially within the outer perimeter portion of the first flexible material.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible material includes a mesh central portion.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first material is a mesh material and the second material is one of a nylon material or a polyester material.
8. An apparatus, comprising:
a panel having a central portion formed with a first material and a perimeter portion formed with a second material different than the first material, the perimeter portion of the panel defining an interior volume within which an inflatable chamber is defined;
a spring coupled to the perimeter portion of the panel and configured to form a closed loop, the spring being moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded; and
a coating disposed on an outer surface of the spring.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the spring is disposed within the inflatable chamber.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the spring is coupled about an outer perimeter of the perimeter portion of the panel.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first material is a mesh material and the second material is one of a nylon material or a polyester material.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
an inflatable bladder coupled to the central portion of the panel, the inflatable bladder defining a pillow portion.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:
the perimeter portion of the panel defines a substantially toroidal shape when the inflatable chamber is inflated and the spring is in the uncoiled configuration.
14. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
an inflatable chamber valve accessible from outside of the second flexible material, the inflatable chamber valve configured to communicate air to at least a portion of the inflatable chamber.
15. An apparatus, comprising:
a first flexible material having an outer perimeter portion;
a second flexible material defining an inflatable chamber and an inner perimeter portion, the inner perimeter portion of the second flexible material being coupled to the outer perimeter portion of the first flexible material;
a plurality of fastening members; and
a spring coupled to an outer perimeter portion of the second flexible material by the plurality of fastening members, the spring forming a closed loop and being moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of fastening members includes at least a first loop and a second loop.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , the second flexible material defines a substantially toroidal shape when the inflatable chamber is inflated and the spring is in the uncoiled configuration.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising:
a coating disposed on an outer surface of the spring.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising:
an inflatable bladder coupled to at least one of the first flexible material of the panel or the second flexible material of the panel, the inflatable bladder defining a pillow portion.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first flexible material includes a mesh material.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising:
an inflatable chamber valve accessible from outside of the second flexible material, the inflatable chamber valve configured to communicate air to the inflatable chamber.