Recreational flotation device with integral cup holder

Abstract

A recreational flotation device ( 10 ) is provided which is designed to support a user (S) floating in water while affording a convenient holder for beverage containers. The device ( 10 ) comprises an elongated body ( 12 ) formed of synthetic resin material and having a density such that the body will float in water (e.g., extruded polyethylene). The body ( 12 ) presents a pair of opposed butt ends ( 14, 16 ), with at least one of the butt ends ( 14,16 ) being recessed to define a receptacle ( 18 ) integral with the body ( 12 ) for receiving a beverage container ( 24 ) therein. A preferred alternative device ( 110 ) is provided wherein the body ( 112 ) includes a pair of differently dimensioned receptacles ( 118,120 ) respectively located at the ends ( 114, 116 ) and integrally formed with the body ( 112 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A recreational floatation device for supporting a user in the water, said device comprising: 
 an elongated body formed of synthetic resin material and having a density such that the body will float in water and support the user at least partially out of the water,    said body presenting a pair of opposed butt ends,    at least one of said butt ends defining a receptacle integral with the body for receiving a beverage container therein.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , 
 said body formed of polyethylene material.    
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , 
 said body being formed by extrusion of said polyethylene material.    
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , 
 said polyethylene material having a density of from about 1.5-2.5 pounds per cubic foot.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , 
 said density being from about 1.8-2.0 pounds per cubic foot.    
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , 
 said pair of opposed butt ends being spaced between about thirty-six and about sixty inches.    
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , 
 said receptacle including a ledge recessed relative to said at least one of said butt ends.    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , 
 said ledge being recessed relative to said at least one of said butt ends between about three and one-half inches and about four and one-half inches.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , 
 said body including an elongated central passageway extending from said ledge along the length of said body to the other butt end to communicate said other butt end with said receptacle.    
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , 
 each of said butt ends defining individual receptacles integral with the body each for receiving a beverage container therein.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , 
 the size of said receptacles being different for receiving different types of beverage containers.    
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , 
 one of said receptacles being configured for receiving a beverage can, and the other of said receptacles being configured for receiving a beverage bottle.    
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , 
 said one of said receptacles presenting a diameter of more than two and one-half inches,    said other of said receptacles presenting a diameter of less than two and one-half inches.    
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , 
 said one of said receptacles defining a first ledge    said other of said receptacles defining a second ledge,    said first ledge being recessed relative to said at least one of said butt ends about three and one-half inches,    said second ledge being recessed relative to the other butt end about four and one-half inches.    
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , 
 said body being generally arcuate and presenting a bight section intermediate said butt ends.    
     
     
         16 . A combination comprising: 
 a recreational floatation device for supporting a user in water and comprising an elongated body formed of synthetic resin material and having a density such that the body will float in water and support the user at least partially out of the water,    said body presenting a pair of opposed butt ends,    at least one of said butt ends being recessed to define a receptacle integral with the body; and    a beverage container received within said receptacle.    
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16 , 
 said body being formed of polyethylene material.    
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 17 , 
 said body being formed by extrusion of said polyethylene material.    
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 17 , 
 said polyethylene material having a density of from about 1.5-2.5 pounds per cubic foot.    
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 19 , 
 said density being from about 1.8-2.0 pounds per cubic foot.    
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 19 , 
 said pair of opposed butt ends being spaced between about thirty-six and about sixty inches.    
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 16 , 
 said receptacle including a ledge recessed relative to said at least one of said butt ends.    
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 22 , 
 said ledge being recessed relative to said at least one of said butt ends between about three and one-half inches and about four and one-half inches.    
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 22 , 
 said body including an elongated central passageway extending from said ledge along the length of said body to the other butt end to communicate said other butt end with said receptacle.    
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 16 , 
 the other of said pair of butt ends being recessed to define an additional individual receptacle integral with the body; and    an additional individual beverage container received within said additional receptacle.    
     
     
         26 . The combination of  claim 25 , 
 the size of said receptacles being different,    the size and type of said beverage containers being different.    
     
     
         27 . The combination of  claim 26 , 
 said first-mentioned beverage container being a beverage can,    said additional beverage container being a beverage bottle.    
     
     
         28 . The combination of  claim 27 , 
 said beverage can being a metal, twelve ounce beverage can,    said beverage bottle being twelve ounce long-neck beverage bottle.    
     
     
         29 . The combination of  claim 26 , 
 said first-mentioned receptacle presenting a diameter of more than two and one-half inches,    said additional receptacle presenting a diameter of less than two and one-half inches.    
     
     
         30 . The combination of  claim 29 , 
 said first-mentioned receptacle defining a first ledge,    said additional receptacle defining a second ledge,    said first ledge being recessed relative to said at least one of said butt ends about three and one-half inches,    said second ledge being recessed relative to the other butt end about four and one-half inches.    
     
     
         31 . The combination of  claim 16 , 
 said body being generally arcuate and presenting a bight section intermediate said butt ends.    
     
     
         32 . A method of supporting a user and a beverage container in the water, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) supporting the user on an elongated cylindrical body formed of synthetic resin material so that at least a portion of the user is supported above the water line and at least one end of the body is supported above the water line;    (b) boring a recess into said one end of the body to define a receptacle integral with the body; and    (c) placing a beverage container in said receptacle.    
     
     
         33 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , 
 step (b) being performed before step (a).    
     
     
         34 . The method as claimed in  claim 33;   (d) boring a different sized recess into the other end of the body to define an additional receptacle dimensioned differently from said first-mentioned receptacle; and    (e) removing the first-mentioned beverage container from the first-mentioned receptacle and placing an additional beverage container dimensioned differently from said first-mentioned beverage container into said additional receptacle.