GB2188881A - A raft - Google Patents

Abstract

As an alternative to 'goggling' in the water, a raft (10) is provided which will support a person lying face-down so that the person can peer into the water through a window(12) at the bow end of the raft, holding on to handles (26) and propelling the raft through the water by swimming strokes with the legs trailing in the water. Flotation chambers (22) extend rearwardly of a platform (18) which supports the person to just above the knees. One or more longitudinal stabilising fins (28, Figs 3-5) may be provided on the raft's underside. A headrest may also be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A raft This invention relates to a raft.

Maritime leisure activities and sports traditionally demand a high degree of aptitude and skill, and a firm financial commitment, e.g. sub-aquatics, sur fing, wi ndsu rfing, sailing and water-skiing. Leisure activities not fitting into these categories invariably suffer from a lack of interest and educational value.

In those resorts and countries with suitable coastline,the emerging activity is 'goggling' - surface drifting with face mask and snorkel, observing the sea bed and the coastal life. This requires a person to be a strong swimmer, competent with and comfortable in a snorkel.

According to the present invention there is provided a raft adapted to support a person in a supine position with the person's legs trailing in the water, the raft having a window in itforthe person to look down into the water while lying supine with legstrailing.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure lisa perspective view of a raft embodying the invention; Figure2 is a plan view ofthe raft of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows the underside of the raft of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the raft.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated raft 10 is adapted to support a person (not shown) in a supine position (that is, lying down) with the person's legs trailing in the water. The raft 10 has a window 12 in it for the person to look down into the water while lying supine with legs trailing.

More particularly, the raft 10 has a slightly pointed bow 14, the bottom of which is upwardly curved as shown in Figure 3, like the bow of an ordinary boat, to facilitate passage of the raft 10 through the water.

The window 12 has the shape of the window of a well-known type of goggles (not shown) habitually used in the above-mentioned activity of'goggling', the window 12 being provided in the bottom of a generally rectangularwell 16 in the bow end ofthe raft. As will be apparent from Figure 3, the window 12 is in direct contact with the water on which the raft floats, in use, so as to present a clear view into the water.

Just aft ofthewell 16 is a platform 18which is long- itudinally ribbed and slopes downwardly towards the stern of the raft 10, terminating in a rear edge 20 atslightlybelowwater level,the platform 18 being rigid and of such a length that the edge 20 comes just above the knees of a person of average height using the raft 10. Thus, the platform 18 provides body sup portto justabovethe knees.

Two elongate flotation chambers 22 extend rearwardly on both sides of an open area 24, aft of the platform edge 20, for the person's legs.

Atthebowend of the raft 10, two handles 26 are provided, one on each side of the well 16, for the person to hold onto.

In use, a person lies face-down on the floating raft 10, with the person's legs trailing in the water behind the platform edge 20, the person looking down into thewaterthrough thewindow 12 and propelling the raft 10through thewater by means of leg movements, as in normal swimming.

The raft may have one or more longitudinal fins to provide stability, and in particularto prevent sideways drift. In the illustrated embodiment, such fins 28 are provided, one at each side of the raft, substantially at the joins between the platform 18 and the chambers 22. The illustrated fins have a slight inward curve or conversions at their forward ends as can be seen in Figure 4. The fins arefaired into the line ofthe raft body attheirforward and rear ends, and attheir sides, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 5. The fins do not have to be very deep, and can typically be 5 to 10 centimetres deep. They can be separate components but are preferably molded integrally with the body of the raft.

In a modification, not shown, the well 16, in which the window 12 is located, is provided with one or more cushions to support the head ofthe person looking down through window 12.

In another modification, aiso not shown, the handles 26 are made detachabie and alternative positions are provided for them, to cater for people of different sizes.

The raft may be made of vacuum-formed and/or injection-molded styrene or glass-reinforced plastic.

Because the raft provides supportfor a person, the person does not have to be a good swimmer, which is not the case with the above-mentioned activity of 'goggling', in which swimming ability is important.

1. A raft adapted to support a person in a supine position with the person's legs trailing in the water, the raft having a window in itforthe person to look down into the water while lying supine with legstrailing.

2. A raft as claimed in claim 1,wherein handles are provided for the person to hold onto.

3. Araftasclaimedin claim 1 or2whereinflotation chambers extend rearwardly on both sides of an open area provided for the person's legs.

4. A raft as claimed in claim 1,2 or3,in theform of a rigid platform providing body supportto just above the knees.

5. A raft as claimed in any preceding claim, fitted with a headrest.

6. A raft as ciaimed in any preceding claim, having at ieast one longitudinal rib on its underside.

7. A raft, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A raft This invention relates to a raft. Maritime leisure activities and sports traditionally demand a high degree of aptitude and skill, and a firm financial commitment, e.g. sub-aquatics, sur fing, wi ndsu rfing, sailing and water-skiing. Leisure activities not fitting into these categories invariably suffer from a lack of interest and educational value. In those resorts and countries with suitable coastline,the emerging activity is 'goggling' - surface drifting with face mask and snorkel, observing the sea bed and the coastal life. This requires a person to be a strong swimmer, competent with and comfortable in a snorkel. According to the present invention there is provided a raft adapted to support a person in a supine position with the person's legs trailing in the water, the raft having a window in itforthe person to look down into the water while lying supine with legstrailing. The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure lisa perspective view of a raft embodying the invention; Figure2 is a plan view ofthe raft of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows the underside of the raft of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the raft. Referring to the drawings, the illustrated raft 10 is adapted to support a person (not shown) in a supine position (that is, lying down) with the person's legs trailing in the water. The raft 10 has a window 12 in it for the person to look down into the water while lying supine with legs trailing. More particularly, the raft 10 has a slightly pointed bow 14, the bottom of which is upwardly curved as shown in Figure 3, like the bow of an ordinary boat, to facilitate passage of the raft 10 through the water. The window 12 has the shape of the window of a well-known type of goggles (not shown) habitually used in the above-mentioned activity of'goggling', the window 12 being provided in the bottom of a generally rectangularwell 16 in the bow end ofthe raft. As will be apparent from Figure 3, the window 12 is in direct contact with the water on which the raft floats, in use, so as to present a clear view into the water. Just aft ofthewell 16 is a platform 18which is long- itudinally ribbed and slopes downwardly towards the stern of the raft 10, terminating in a rear edge 20 atslightlybelowwater level,the platform 18 being rigid and of such a length that the edge 20 comes just above the knees of a person of average height using the raft 10. Thus, the platform 18 provides body sup portto justabovethe knees. Two elongate flotation chambers 22 extend rearwardly on both sides of an open area 24, aft of the platform edge 20, for the person's legs. Atthebowend of the raft 10, two handles 26 are provided, one on each side of the well 16, for the person to hold onto. In use, a person lies face-down on the floating raft 10, with the person's legs trailing in the water behind the platform edge 20, the person looking down into thewaterthrough thewindow 12 and propelling the raft 10through thewater by means of leg movements, as in normal swimming. The raft may have one or more longitudinal fins to provide stability, and in particularto prevent sideways drift. In the illustrated embodiment, such fins 28 are provided, one at each side of the raft, substantially at the joins between the platform 18 and the chambers 22. The illustrated fins have a slight inward curve or conversions at their forward ends as can be seen in Figure 4. The fins arefaired into the line ofthe raft body attheirforward and rear ends, and attheir sides, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 5. The fins do not have to be very deep, and can typically be 5 to 10 centimetres deep. They can be separate components but are preferably molded integrally with the body of the raft. In a modification, not shown, the well 16, in which the window 12 is located, is provided with one or more cushions to support the head ofthe person looking down through window 12. In another modification, aiso not shown, the handles 26 are made detachabie and alternative positions are provided for them, to cater for people of different sizes. The raft may be made of vacuum-formed and/or injection-molded styrene or glass-reinforced plastic. Because the raft provides supportfor a person, the person does not have to be a good swimmer, which is not the case with the above-mentioned activity of 'goggling', in which swimming ability is important. CLAIMS

1. A raft adapted to support a person in a supine position with the person's legs trailing in the water, the raft having a window in itforthe person to look down into the water while lying supine with legstrailing.

2. A raft as claimed in claim 1,wherein handles are provided for the person to hold onto.

3. Araftasclaimedin claim 1 or2whereinflotation chambers extend rearwardly on both sides of an open area provided for the person's legs.

4. A raft as claimed in claim 1,2 or3,in theform of a rigid platform providing body supportto just above the knees.

5. A raft as claimed in any preceding claim, fitted with a headrest.

6. A raft as ciaimed in any preceding claim, having at ieast one longitudinal rib on its underside.

7. A raft, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.