[0001] The present application claims benefit from provisional application 61/793,526 filed March 15, 2013, and from provisional application 61/937,065, filed February 7, 2014, and incorporates the contents of both by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to so called "noodles" commonly used for support and play in water, and for various constructions made from such noodles for use in or out of water.

Background

[0003] In general, water noodles are elongated flexible tubes formed of closed-cellular foam plastic generally used for buoyancy, i.e. supporting a person, and for play in the water, usually formed of closed cell plastic foam and usually of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene, the noodles each having an axial extending through opening or bore. These are widely known, e.g. see

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[0004] Because of their hollow axial bore, water tends to accumulate inside these known "noodles" diminishing their desirable properties to some extent. Also, when the user leaves the water, the water inside the hollow bore of the "noodle", will spill out which is sometimes an annoyance and sometimes results in objects becoming wet which should not be wet.

Objects and Brief Description [0005] Non-limitation objects of the present invention are to provide improvements in noodles, and to provide bits and construction of noodles.

[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, removable end plugs or stoppers are provided which prevent water from entering the hollow axial bore of the "noodle." By making the end stoppers removable, the users can remove one or both stoppers to drain out any water which may have entered the hollow core of the "noodle."

[0007] Further in accordance with the present invention, such removable end plugs or stoppers are optionally provided with "flexible connectors", such "flexible connectors" constituting means by which the noodles can be axially connected to one another a lengthwise fashion, permitting the joined or linked noodles of being capable of non-axial movement relative to one another.

Brief Description of Drawing

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two end plugs joined together, it being understood that each said end plug is mostly screwed into or otherwise recessed into the end of a noodle (not shown).

[0009] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the flexible joining together of three noodles which are individually recessed in the ends of three different noodles, and Fig. 2A shows with arrows designating movement how the flexible connectors permit the noodles to be joined non-axially. .

[0010] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a geosphere made from a plurality of flexibly

interconnected noodles, Fig. 3 also showing two children within the geosphere..

[0011] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of flexibly interconnected noodles shaped in the form of a tower.

[0012] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of flexibly interconnected noodles in the form of a castle.

[0013] Fig. 6 shows this joining of opposite ends of a single noodle. [0014] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of two noodles containing end stoppers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the figure to the right being an axial cross sectional perspective view better showing the stoppers or end plugs in use.

[0015] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the type shown in Fig. 7.

[0016] Figs. 9-12 are perspective views of other constructions, namely a triangle construction in Fig. 9, a house construction in Fig. 10 a space ship in Fig. 11 and a tunnel in Fig. 12.

[0017] The above objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0018] A basic embodiment is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of a foam plastic noodle 110 having an axial bore 114 into which a removable stopper or plug 112 is inserted at one end of the noodle 110. A second stopper or plug 112' is inserted at the opposite end of the noodle as shown in the view on the right side of Fig. 7 wherein only half of the noodle 110 is shown with a more complete view of the stopper 112.

[0019] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the stopper or plug 112 in accordance with the basic form thereof, the stopper 112 having a slightly tapered body portion 116 and a preferably integral handle 118. The body 116 of the stopper or plug 112 is provided with a screw thread 120 so that the stopper 112 can be screwed into the hollow center bore 114 of the noodle 110, it being understood that the maximum diameter of the stopper 112 is approximately as the same as the diameter of the bore 114 of the noodle 110, but with the screw thread 120 being slightly greater than the diameter of the hollow bore of the noodle 110, so that the screw thread 120 can tap a receiving female screw thread in the wall of the bore 114 as the stopper 112 is screwed in.

[0020] Instead of the body 116 and the handle 118 of the stopper or plug 112 being integral and unitary, they alternatively can be made as two separate elements having an appropriate locking or connecting means or element attaching the two elements together in a more or less permanent way.

[0021] In the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8, as described above, where the body 116 and the handle 118 are integral and unitary, the stopper or plug 112 can be appropriately molded of plastic, such as by rotational casting, injection molding or blow molding. This stoppers or plugs 112 are desirably of rigid or semi-rigid PVC or a similar plastic, or of a soft semi-flexible material such as rubber or a polyurethane based polymer, but must be made sufficiently rigid so as to be able to be screwed in and out of the ends of the noodle 110 without collapsing, and have sufficient rigidity to not collapse under pressure from the water.

[0022] In use, and after removing the noodle from the water, the handle portion 118 of the stopper or plug 112 can be grasped through the open end of the bore of the noodle 110, and unscrewed from the bore 114 of the noodle 110 to dump out any water which has entered into the bore 114 of the noodle 110. When the user is ready to enter the water again with the noodle 110, the stopper or plug 112 is again inserted into the end (or both ends) of the bore 114 of the noodle 110 and screwed in.

[0023] Next, with reference to the embodiment of Fig. 1, the removable plugs or stoppers 10 each comprise a body portion 12 and an end portion 14, the end portions 14 being adapted to flexibly interlock with one another so as to permit adjacent and interconnected noodles to rotate relative to one another at their respective interconnections.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a pair of removable plugs or stoppers 10, each comprising a body portion 12 and an end portion 14, the end portions 14 being adapted to flexibly interlock with one another. As indicated above, the body portions 12 are each preferably provided with a screw thread 16, so that the plugs 10 can be readily screwed into the open ends of the hollow bores of the respective noodles. As indicated above, the maximum diameter of each plug or stopper 10 should be approximately the same as the diameter of the hollow bore of the noodle, but with the screw thread 16 being slightly greater than the diameter of the hollow bore of the noodle, so that the screw thread 16 can tap a receiving female screw thread in the interior wall of the bore of the noodle as the plug 10 is screwed in. The plugs or stoppers 10 can be generally cylindrical as illustrated in Fig. 1, or alternatively they may have a slightly tapered body portion 112 as illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0025] As indicated above, the noodles themselves can be selected from among those which are well known, preferably formed of cellular light weight foam plastic. While PET and

polyethylene are commonly used, the noodles themselves may be formed of a wide variety of flexible or semi-rigid plastics. What is particularly important is that the noodles must be of light weight so as to be easily held and carried by children.

[0026] The plugs or stoppers 10 can be formed, as indicated above, by rotational casting, injection molding or blow molding, preferably from hard PVC or similar plastic, or a soft semi- flexible material such as rubber, polyurethane or silicone based polymer. The plugs or stoppers 10 must be made sufficiently rigid, as indicated above, to be screwed in and out of the ends of the noodle without collapsing, and should have sufficient rigidity to avoid collapse of constructions made therefrom and from or during the rough play of children.

[0027] The end 14 of each plug 10, which permits the flexible interconnection of adjacent noodles, is desirably ring shaped as illustrated in the figures. But unlike the ends of the plug in Figs. 7 and 8, each ring 14 in these embodiments is provided so that it can interlock with an adjacent ring 14 of another noodle to form a flexible connection. In Fig. 1 , each ring 14 is provided with a gap 18 through which the thickness of another ring 14 can be forced or slipped. Thus, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the gap in the ring 14 has a length which is desirably approximately the same as the diameter of the ring 14, although such gap 18 can be somewhat larger making assembly and disassembly of joined noodles somewhat easier. The gap 18 is particularly needed when the rings 14 are made of a more rigid plastic material.

[0028] On the other hand, and as noted in Fig. 2, the rings 14A can be made substantially closed with little or no gap 18, if the material from which the ring 14A is made is sufficiently flexible or resilient so that the thickness of one ring 14A can be forced through a slot or small gap 18 in the ring 14A of an adjacent plug 10, as can be seen in Fig. 2.

[0029] Figs. 2-5 show noodles 20 into which the plugs or stoppers 10 have been tightly inserted, such as by screwing, again as described above. Figs. 3-5 and 9-12 show examples of stable arrangements or constructions in which a plurality of interlocked or joined noodles can be constructed with the flexible connections so that the connected noodles need not be necessarily axially connected, it being understood that various other constructions can be made based on the present disclosure. Of these, Fig. 3 shows the noodles arranged to form a geosphere 22. Fig. 4 shows the noodles arranged to form a tower 24, e.g. simulating the Eiffel Tower. Fig. 5 shows an assembly of the connected noodles to form a castle shape. Fig. 9 shows the noodles arranged and constructed to form a triangle shape. Fig. 10 shows the noodles arranged and constructed to form the shape of a house. Fig. 11 shows the noodles arranged and joined to form a space ship shape, particularly a nose section thereof. And Fig. 12 shows noodles joined and constructed to form a tunnel.

[0030] A semicircular construction as shown in Fig. 6 can also be constructed by forming and joining the two ends of a single noodle, or ends of plural noodles.

[0031] While noodles have been designed and constructed primarily for use in water, it will be understood that the noodles as shown in Figs. 3-6 and 9-12 can be used on solid surfaces either adjacent or near a swimming pool or the like, or in playgrounds, on decks, etc. The noodles can be disassembled by simply reversing the order of assembly, by disconnecting the ring ends 14, 14A from one another.

[0032] It will be understood that other means for connecting the ends of noodles can be used without departing from the present invention. It is of primary importance however that the means for permitting adjacent noodles or the ends of one or more noodles to connect must be flexible in the sense that two adjacent and connected noodles are not locked in position. The illustrated embodiments with the ends 14 of each plug or stopper 10 being in a ring shape with a cut or gap provided therein is only a simple and presently preferred form of such a flexible interconnection.

[0033] As indicated above, it is important to understand that the noodles can be used in environments entirely unrelated to any water use to build various constructions as shown in the figures, e.g. in areas not only adjacent to bodies of water such as beaches and swimming pool areas and decks, but also in playgrounds, yards, and even indoors such as family rooms and living rooms, as well as gymnasium areas. A plurality of such noodles, including some of different sizes, can be provided as kits. Instructions may be provided instructing users how to assemble the noodles into different structures including those shown in the figures.

[0034] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, such descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that modifications may be made to the described embodiments. Moreover, to those skilled in the various arts, the invention itself herein will suggest solutions to other tasks and adaptations for other uses. It is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restricted, reference being made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the aforementioned features and advantages are presented solely by way of example. Accordingly, the foregoing should not be construed or interpreted to constitute, in any way, an exhaustive enumeration of features and advantageous of embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] While different embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that parts of such embodiments may be used in conjunction with parts of other embodiments of the present invention without departing from the present invention.

[0037] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without undue experimentation and without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The means, materials, and steps for carrying out various disclosed functions may take a variety of alternative forms without departing from the invention.

[0038] Thus the expressions "means to . . . " and "means for . . . ", or any method step language, as may be found in the specification above and/or in the claims below, followed by a functional statement, are intended to define and cover whatever structural, physical, chemical or electrical element or structure, or whatever method step, which may now or in the future exist which carries out the recited function, whether or not precisely equivalent to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed in the specification above, i.e., other means or steps for carrying out the same functions can be used; and it is intended that such expressions be given their broadest interpretation.