Multifunction mat and flotation device

Abstract

A flotation device, includes a plurality of positively buoyant components. In addition, the flotation device includes one or more cords coupling the plurality of components to one another in a plurality of rows and columns.

1 . A floatation device, comprising:
 a plurality of elongate and buoyant components, each of the components having a longitudinally extending central axis and a generally cylindrical outer surface; and   a connecting means;   wherein the components are arranged in at least a single plane in a plurality of rows and in a plurality of columns and are connected via the connecting means; and   wherein each row and each column includes a plurality of the components; and   wherein the plurality of components are connected such that the central axes of the components are all parallel.   
     
     
         2 . The floatation device of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of components has a water buoyancy ratio in the range of about 1 to about 40. 
     
     
         3 . The floatation device of  claim 1  wherein the floatation device consists of a single plane of connected buoyant components. 
     
     
         4 . The floatation device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of components are each made of material selected from the group consisting of cork and wood. 
     
     
         5 . The floatation device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means comprises a plurality of cords. 
     
     
         6 . The floatation device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means consists of a single cord. 
     
     
         7 . The floatation device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of components is rod shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The floatation device of  claim 7 , wherein all of the plurality of components have nearly the same dimensions. 
     
     
         9 . The floatation device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of components comprise cork and have a height, width and length in the range of about 2.0 centimeters to about 7.5 centimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the outer surface of the plurality of components includes at least one axially extending planar surface. 
     
     
         11 . The floatation device of  claim 10  wherein the outer surface of each of the plurality of components comprises a pair of axially extending planar surfaces disposed radially opposite one another about the central axis. 
     
     
         12 . A flotation device, comprising:
 a plurality of positively buoyant elongate components having a central axis and a generally cylindrical outer surface; and   one or more cords coupling the plurality of positively buoyant components to one another in plane having a plurality of rows and columns of positively buoyant components; and   wherein the outer surface of the plurality of components includes at least one axially extending planar surface.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The flotation device of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of positively buoyant components include a pair of axially extending planar surfaces disposed radially opposite one another about the central axis. 
     
     
         16 . The flotation device of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of positively buoyant components further comprises a pair of cylindrical surfaces that are radially opposite one another about the central axis, each of the pair of cylindrical surfaces being disposed between the pair of planar surfaces. 
     
     
         17 . The floatation device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of positively buoyant components are arranged such that one of the pair of planar surfaces of each of the plurality of positively buoyant components in a first row is adjacent one of the pair of planar surfaces of another of the plurality of positively buoyant components in a second row that is adjacent the first row. 
     
     
         18 . The flotation device of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of positively buoyant components is made of cork. 
     
     
         19 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A device, comprising:
 a plurality of elongate cork components with a height, width and length in the range of about 2.0 centimeters to about 7.5 centimeters and including a central axis; and   a connecting means; and   wherein the cork components are arranged in at least a single plane in a plurality of rows and in a plurality of columns and are connected via the connecting means; and wherein each row includes a plurality of the components; and   wherein the plurality of components are connected such that the central axes of the components are all parallel; and   wherein the cork components in the aggregate provide sufficient buoyancy to maintain an individual afloat on water.   
     
     
         31 . The device of claim  19 , wherein all of the plurality of components have nearly the same dimensions. 
     
     
         32 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 31  wherein the outer surface of the plurality of components includes at least one axially extending planar surface. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 31  wherein the outer surface of the plurality of components comprises a pair of axially extending planar surfaces disposed radially opposite one another about the central axis.