Modular flotation device with mechanism to removably attach to other modular devices

Abstract

One or more embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to flotation devices, and more specifically to modular flotation devices with a mechanism to removably attach to other modular devices. In one embodiments, an apparatus includes a first flotation module and a first connector coupled to the first flotation module. The first connector has a first end portion, a second end portion and a sidewall extended from the first end portion to the second end portion. The sidewall defines a plurality of circumferentially defined stepped portions configured to matingly engage a second connector of a second flotation module to couple the first flotation module to the second flotation module. The first connector is selectively operative as one of a female connector or a male connector with respect to the second connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first flotation module, and   a first connector coupled to the first flotation module, the first connector having a first end portion, a second end portion and a sidewall extended from the first end portion to the second end portion, the sidewall defining a plurality of circumferentially defined stepped portions configured to matingly engage a second connector of a second flotation module to couple the first flotation module to the second flotation module, the first connector being selectively operative as one of a female connector or a male connector with respect to the second connector.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is, concurrently with the selective operation of the first connector as one of the female connector or the male connector with respect to the second connector, selectively operative as the other of a female connector or a male connector with respect to a third connector. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is configured to concurrently matingly engage the second connector of the second flotation module and to matingly engage a third connector of a third flotation module to couple the first flotation module and the second flotation module to the third flotation module. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a cup-shaped body portion having a circumference at the first end portion and a circumference at the second end portion less than the circumference at the first end portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first flotation module is a first chair configured to support a first user in a seated position in water and the second flotation module is a second chair configured to support a second user in a seated position in water. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first flotation module is a chair, and the second flotation module is a table, shelf, or sunshade. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is operatively coupleable to the second connector at a plurality of rotational positions about a center axis of the first connector. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is configured to be in a stacked relationship with respect to the second connector. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is configured to be concurrently coupled in a stacked relationship to a plurality of connectors, the plurality of connectors including the second connector. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first flotation module; and   a first connector coupled to the first flotation module, the first connector including a body portion having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a sidewall portion extended from the first end portion to the second end portion, the first end portion of the body portion having a first perimeter and defining an opening in communication with an interior volume of the body portion, the second end portion of the body portion having a second perimeter less than the first perimeter, the first connector configured to (1) at least partially receive in the interior volume, at a first time, a complementary body portion of a second connector of a second flotation module to removably couple the first flotation module to the second flotation module at the first time, and (2) be at least partially received, at a second time different from the first time, in the body portion of the second connector of the second flotation module to removably couple the first flotation module to the second flotation module at the second time.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the sidewall defines a stepped portion circumferentially disposed about the body portion at a location between the first end portion and the second end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the sidewall defines a plurality of steps configured to complementarily fit a plurality of steps of the second connector of the second flotation module to couple the first flotation module to the second flotation module. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first connector is configured to at least partially receive in the interior volume a third connector of a third flotation module concurrently with the first connector being at least partially received, at the second time, in the body portion of the second connector of the second flotation module to removably couple the first flotation module and the second flotation module to the third flotation module. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first connector is configured to be at least partially received in a third connector of a third flotation module concurrently with the first connector at least partially receiving in the interior volume, the complementary body portion of the connector of the second flotation module to removably couple the first flotation module and the second flotation module to the third flotation module. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first connector includes a rim portion having a first layer and a second layer, the rim portion including a prong extended from the first layer, the second layer defining an opening configured to receive at least a portion of the prong. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first flotation module is inflatable. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first flotation module is a first chair configured to support a first user in a seated position in water and the second flotation module is a second chair configured to support a second user in a seated position in water. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first flotation module is a chair, and the second flotation module is a table, shelf, or sunshade. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are coupled by a friction fit when the first connector (1) at least partially receives in the interior volume the complementary body portion of the second connector at the first time, or (2) is at least partially received in the complementary body portion of the second connector at the second time. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first connector is configured to be coupled to the second connector at a plurality of rotational positions about a center axis of the body portion of the first connector.