A novel molded foam pool float (10) and ottoman (12) are formed of a continuous form of semi-rigid, pliable foam of constant density. The pool float (10) has an elongate shape which partially circumscribes a user, having an enclosed end (24) with a headrest (38), two arms (26, 28) symmetrically extending from opposite sides of the enclosed end (24), and an open end (30) disposed between ends (34, 36) of the arms (26, 28). The headrest (38) extends upward from the enclosed end (24), above the arms (26, 28) to provide both a headrest and a chin rest, depending upon the orientation of the pool float (10) to the user. The upper surfaces (58, 60) of the arms (26, 28) are preferably recessed beneath respective sides of the arms (26, 28) and have a pebbled texture. Void recesses (72, 74, 76) are provided in the lower side (16) of the pool float (10) for trapping air to provide enhanced flotation and reduce the unit costs of the foam for the pool float (10).

An illuminated inflatable object formed of at least two pieces of material that define at least one interior chamber, at least one valve for delivering a fluid to and removing a fluid from the at least one interior chamber, at least one rechargeable battery disposed in the at least one interior chamber, at least one solar panel disposed in the at least one interior chamber and electrically connected to one or more of the at least one rechargeable battery, and at least one lighting source disposed in one or more of the at least one interior chamber.

A buoyant pool lounge chair is disclosed. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair, frame members collectively form an open chair frame with buoyant cushions forming a chair seat and a backrest as well as a left arm rest and a right arm rest. The left arm rest and the right arm rest are each intersected by a cup holder. A recess in the cup holder has a forward tilt relative to a horizontal axis having an angle between approximately 20 degrees and approximately 40 degrees toward the front end of the buoyant pool lounge chair. In operation, when the buoyant pool lounge chair is supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, the forward tilt of the cup holder provides a compensating-leveling mechanism that mitigates spilling of liquid in the cup when the cup is placed within the cup holder.

A portable expandable device with a contracting mechanism which allows for many forms of recreational products and structures to be expanded, reinforced in the expanded shape, and then contracted easily to regain its portable form. The expansion means is exercised by the use of at least one of the following, resiliently extending, unfolding, inflating, as to become an expanding form which can then be easily retracted to the redeployed form. The retraction mechanism reverses the expansion process utilizing a mechanism which sequentially exerts the forces needed in the proper locations in order to ensure proper contraction. Disclosed embodiments utilized supplemental structural reinforcement of the expanded form through the use of joints, releasable interlocks, latching mechanisms, air bladders, to ensure the form is stable and usable. The objective being a stable structure with a rapid and easy deployment and a supplemental retraction means as to be easily transportable.

A method of assembling a floatation device and a floatation device is disclosed. The method can include providing a casing having an upper fabric layer and a lower porous layer. A plurality of dividers can be connected at a first end to the upper fabric layer and at a second end to the lower porous layer. Edges of the upper fabric layer and the lower fabric layer can be connected by a zipper. The upper fabric layer and the lower fabric layer can define a chamber therebetween, and the plurality of dividers dividing the chamber into a plurality of sleeves. A plurality of foam floatation members can be installed in a respective sleeve of the plurality of sleeves, and the zipper can be closed to form a floatatable platform.

The invention disclosed in this application is a floatation device for infants and small children combined with an exercise device for their parent. The device is designed to allow the child to be in the swimming pool with their parent with only a small part or none of the child to actually be in contact with the water. The invention consists of a seat for the child integrated into a floatation device. The child's seat will swivel to allow for the child to be facing in various directions while on the floatation device. Sections of the seat are removable so that the child may dangle their legs into the water while affixed in the seat. The floatation part of the invention is similar in size and shape to an adult swimming kickboard and can be utilized as such with a child either in the seat or not.

A floating assembly for suspending a person on water has a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member defining a periphery for the assembly. A sheet material covers portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. A plurality of floatation sleeves are attached to the periphery. A plurality of floatation devices are removably inserted into each of the floatation sleeves.

Methods for a cell-based assay for Botulinum neurotoxin are provided in which a transfected cell that produces a reporting peptide is contacted with a Botulinum neurotoxin in media having a sub-physiological osmolarity and a temperature that is above physiological temperature. This combination provides an unexpected synergistic effect in reducing the EC.sub.50 of the cell-based assay relative to an analogous cell-based assay performed at physiological osmolarity and temperature.

A buoyant pool lounge chair is disclosed. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair, frame members collectively form an open chair frame with buoyant cushions forming a chair seat and a backrest as well as a left arm rest and a right arm rest. The left arm rest and the right arm rest are each intersected by a cup holder. A recess in the cup holder has a forward tilt relative to a horizontal axis having an angle between approximately 20 degrees and approximately 40 degrees toward the front end of the buoyant pool lounge chair. In operation, when the buoyant pool lounge chair is supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, the forward tilt of the cup holder provides a compensating-leveling mechanism that mitigates spilling of liquid in the cup when the cup is placed within the cup holder.

A buoyant pool lounge chair frame and buoyant pool lounge chair using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair for supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a back frame and leg frame pivotally coupled thereto. Buoyant cushions are attached to the frame members to form a chair seat, a backrest, and a leg rest. A pair of rear pivotal coupling and clutch assemblies are coupled to the seat frame and to the back frame to adjust and fix the angle of recline of the back frame relative to the seat frame. Similarly, a pair of front pivotal coupling and clutch assemblies coupled to the leg frame and to the back frame to adjust and fix the angle of extension of the leg frame relative to the seat frame.