GB2542328A

GB2542328A - Anchor for floating inflatable lilos, dinghies and water loungers

Info

Publication number: GB2542328A
Application number: GB1511335.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ellen Varney Patricia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-06-26
Filing date: 2015-06-26
Publication date: 2017-03-22
Also published as: GB201511335D0

Abstract

An anchor for floating inflatable lilos, dinghies and water lounges 1 comprising a hollow dome 4, filled with sand in use, and a line 3 for attachment to the inflatable. The dome can have a hollowed underside and may have twisted pointed feet 6 which dig into the sea bed 5. The anchor has a removable bottom section (8 fig 3) with clips (C, D fig 3) to enable the dome to be filled with sand. The line 3 may be attached to the inflatable by wrapping it around the body or by using attach loops. The line may be length adjustable and use hook and eye material 2. The underside of the anchor may be flat or concave. The anchor prevents movement of drifting of inflatables when used in a sea or pool.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION OF

PATRICIA ELLEN VARNEY FOR ANCHOR FOR FLOATING INFLATABLE LILOS. DINGHIES AND WATER LOUNGERS Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the use of inflatable floating lilos or water loungers, small dinghies and the improved safety during their use in water, in particular in the sea but also pools or other.

Background

The use of inflatable lilos or water loungers and dinghies is known and widespread, enabling a person to lay or sit on top as they float in water, these can also be known as an air mattress. The term air mattress may also refer to a certain inflatable swimming pool or beach toy, which has an air-sac "pillow" and several (usually four or five) tubes running its length. Also called a "lilo" (UK, AUS), "pool air mat", "air mat", "pool lounge", or "float(ing) mat(tress)", it is used to recline on the water surface. The lilo was invented by Frank Masterson in 1961. Although it bears some resemblance to an air mattress, it is typically not built as strongly and may not reliably stay inflated all night long, making it impractical for use as a bed.

These have also developed into shaped ‘toys’ in many variations including ‘dolphins’ or ‘crocodiles’ reflecting creatures that live in water, these are often filled with air in the same way as the bed type and float on the water.

These may have holding areas of handles onto which the child moreover, can steady themselves whilst floating.

When in use in the sea air beds or shaped loungers are far more vulnerable to behaviour changes than when used in a more controlled environment such as a pool. During use in the sea a floating inflatable can easily be swept away from the shore by the strong currents found there and this can endanger the life of the child or adult using it. Due to their very nature, inflatables or air rafts of this type are extremely lite and are moved by waves and currents found in the sea. If used in a swimming pool or similar water area, they still react to the movement from other swimmers in the environment.

This moving tendency is greatly increased when the user is in the sea, as under currents and waves can enable the air bed or inflatable to be moved easily.

The user would tend to counterbalance this by using their arms and legs to splash or paddle the air bed; inflatable lilo or dinghy, to maintain its current position or help prevent further movement.

This same paddling is also used to move the raft or dinghy around during use in normal or favourable conditions. These types of inflatables are very popular for use in the sea, even though if is known that they can be affected by the waves and currents and this is wide spread among children.

The present invention discloses a method by which an inflatable or constructed floating lilo, dinghy or air bed can be anchored in place when used in the sea or any other environment, with sufficient effect that waves or currents within the sea or water would be prevented from moving the inflatables and thus the user safety is improved.

Prior Art

Accordingly patent applications have been filed to provide general solutions, including the following:

United States patent ref: US6.666.161 (CANNON)

Discloses a method of adding weights to a floating air bed or raft for use in a pool. These weights are attached to lengths of cord or rope and sit on the bottom and side of the pool to help maintain it in position, however, these would fail to provide sufficient purchase to the sea bed and thus would seemingly not prevent air bed or raft movement in the sea.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided an anchor which is also a weight. This anchor is a domed form made of a plastic variant and is hollow but with sufficient wall structure to provide a housing for a sand or similar filling.

The domed form has a size that enables it to successfully provide weight and purchase to the sea bed when filled with sand but also be easily portable when empty or not in use. To the bottom and lower side areas are spiked prongs which may be of a twisted or straight and angled nature inwardly or outwardly to dig into the sea bed when in use, helping to keep it in place. These would take advantage from having a cylindrical extending member that forms a point to each end. These form a part of the single mould of this section.

The domed body may be shaped in a decorative or novel manner to form the shape of an appropriate sea animal, providing the shape of that sea animal is able to support its functional dimensions and their requirements. For example a crab shape is oval and may be deemed as domed in some respects and its legs may provide for the prongs or the anchors spiked feet as previously mentioned.

Therefore, a novelty crab shape; for example; could be the premise for the anchor in some options. This can vary greatly and will do so dependent upon decisions made during manufacture.

To the sand filled dome or animal shaped hollow anchor body is an externally affixed line, cord, leash, cable or rope that extends from a inclusively moulded hook hoop on the top surface, through a hole outwardly as a length. This length is attached using a closable hook similar to a carabiner. This line is extendable and retractable to enable the anchor to seat on the sea bed, or pool bottom if chosen, and still have sufficient length to reach the floating air bed or inflatable lilo and/or small dinghy, wrapping itself around in a manner that suits all sizes of the subject. Upon reaching the inflatable the line, cable or rope is wrapped or looped around the diameter of the whole of the lilo body and re-attached to itself using water proof hook and eye material such as Velcro (TRADE MARK). It is also able to be threaded through the loops found on dinghies to their exterior and looped back on itself to fix using the same method.

As most other inflatable lilos and air beds do not have any sufficient attachment points where a line, cord, cable or rope can be affixed, the chosen or preferred attachment method is to wrap it around the centre area of the lilo. This is shown in the Figures but also accommodates for the aforementioned threading through the loops on a dinghy. The cord is able to be lengthened and adjusted using known methods, to adjust its length to suit all depths of water and all width and sizes, shapes of most air beds or lilos.

The cord is made of a water resistant material such as a coated canvas type and is repellent of salt corrosion and depletive elements found in the sea or ocean environment.

Once attached the subject inflatable is held in place owing to the size and weight of the anchor dome being able to prevent it from moving. To the bottom of the anchor dome are twisted pointed feet. These feet are provided to dig into the sea bottom to add additional purchase when in use.

Feet of this type can perform when attached in a fixed and straight arrangement but may also be angled inwardly or outwardly to add additional ability to take a grip of the sea bed, as shown in Figures.

The feet themselves would benefit from being produced of a plastic variant to provide a collaborative appearance with the dome body but also provide strong yet lightweight ensemble.

The dome shape of the body would suggest a base or underside of an oval or circular variant to help accommodate the shape therein. As the anchor dome is likely to be in regular contact with the sea bottom where substances and textures vary greatly.

It may benefit in another form from having a slightly hollowed concave underside. This concave area would allow for some of the material found on the sea bed, such as sand and rocks to ‘collect’ within its capacity and add ‘staying’ abilities in addition to the extra purchase provided by the straight or angled pointed feet.

The combination of the sand inside the hollow anchor dome, its concave underside and its pointed feet, either angled or strait provide the staying methods for the anchor dome and therefore the attached floating subject.

The sand is inserted by releasing the clips around the releasable base section, of which there would be at least four. These press over corresponding clip points which hold the releasable base in place, after the sand has filled the hollow interior. A rubber rim may also be provided to the connecting rim of the hollow anchor body and the releasable base section to aid water tightness, however this can also be provided by a suitably arranged male and female lip to the rim.

On usage the adult, if in the case of a child, would fill the dome with sand until sufficient weight has been achieved and clip on the releasable base, which is shown in the Figures.

The anchor would then preferably be carried along with the attachment cord, into the water with the subject inflatable.

The subject inflatable is then floated on the surface of the water and held by hand in place, where the adult or child wishes to float. The anchor dome filled with sand is then released or dropped into the water and the attached cord is held in the hand whilst it reaches the sea bed. It is recommended that this system is used for children and adults in shallow areas nearer the shore.

Therefore, this is a recreational proposal and not for deep sea usage.

Once the anchor dome has reached the sea bed, the line will establish itself and become slack toward the surface. The user can then determine how much remaining line can be wrapped around the subject inflatable, adjust it accordingly by sliding it through and secure using the hook and eye or Velcro ™

This is wrapped around the circumference of the subject inflatables body and secured back onto itself in the known way using the Velcro ™ and in cases where a ‘loop’ is available for attachments, such as on a small dinghy the line, cord or strap is passed through the loop and attached back on itself also. A carabiner type fitting which is shown where the line attaches to the anchor may also be used at the end which connects with the floating subject, where possible.

The user can then mount the subject inflatable and enjoy it with the knowledge that the anchor dome is holding them in place.

Because of its design the line, cord or strap is able to adjust to differing subject inflatables as well as sea depths or pool depths. There will be a clearly stated line length limit such as, for example only; 12 feet depth but this can vary.

Brief description of figures

Figures 1 show an example of the anchor dome with angled twisted pointed feet, attached to a floating lilo bed.

Figures 2 show an example of the anchor dome with no feet attached to a child’s floating lilo bed.

Figures 3 show an example of the anchor dome with its releasable base section and holding clips.

Figures 4 show an example of the anchor dome with the releasable base section being removed to enable sand to be inserted into the anchor body and having the twisted pointed feet.

Figures 5 show an example of the anchor dome with the hollowed bottom version in use with a child’s floating lilo bed.

Figures 6 show an example of the anchor dome formed into a novelty crab shape with straight pointed feet representing the crab’s legs, in use with a child’s floating lilo bed.

Figures 7 show an example of a small dinghy being held in place by an anchor dome with angled pointed feet.

Detailed description of figures A typical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. A floating inflatable 1 is attached to a line 3 which is wrapped around the circumference of the inflatable 1 and fastened together using fully length adjustable hook and eye Velcro ™ methods 2.

The line 3 originates from inside the top of the anchor dome body 4, the anchor dome body 4 having pointed feet which may be angled, as shown in Figure 1, which dig into the sea floor or bed 5.

The anchor body 4A, may be made to look novel for use with children, as shown in Figure 2. It may have no feet and a flat bottom 7 which has a screw threaded removable base which would be less expensive to produce. The child’s floating air bed, as shown, 1A is attached using the line, cord, cable, strap, leash 3A. This is fully adjustable by length and may accommodate for all widths, length and shapes of floating inflatable.

The anchor dome body 4B is filled with a weighting substance such as sand, via an opening produced by removing the base 8 and is held in a sealed manner, as shown in Figure 3. The line 3B is affixed and originates from the top or the upper surface of the anchor dome body 4B, as shown. The line 3B is looped through a carabiner type closing hoop E which in turn is passes through an inclusive moulded hoop F.

This arrangement may be slightly adjusted, which is optional, in Figure 4, wherein; the anchor dome body 4C has a spiked underside comprising of twisted feet 6C, 10,11, 12 and 13.

The version which has a hollow or concave underside may be provided with or without the feet, as shown in Figure 5. The hollowed and concave undersides ability to allow some of the sea bed or floors sand debris to gather in its hollowed area, is demonstrated in Figure 5, A. This Figure also shows an alternative position and locating point underneath the pillow area of the floating bed for the cord, shown in broken lines.

Due to the differing depths of the sea the line is fully adjustable by length using adjustment points 14, as shown in Figure 6. These enable the line to be lengthened or shortened to suit differing sea or water depths, and they may be located at various points along the line as required.

Figure 6 also shows the anchor body as a full sea animal form, a crab. Its legs are acting as the pointed feet.

Figure 7 shows that the inflatable anchor body may be smaller in size and also be used with inflatable pleasure dinghies, the line is attached through the loops that are provided on the exterior of these, as shown.

Claims

1. An anchor for floating inflatable lilos, dinghies and water lounges wherein, the movement or dangerous drifting of water inflatables when used in water and in particular the sea, is prevented by them being attached to and anchored in position by a sand filled hollow dome, the attachment is provided by a line to the submerged dome which is weighted, it can have a hollowed underside and may have twisted pointed feet which dig into the sea bed to add purchase.

2. An anchor for floating inflatable lilos, dinghies and water lounges wherein, an anchor dome is hollow to enable it to be filled with sand and has a bottom section that clips on and off to enable this, thus when empty it is light in weight for easy transportation.

3. An anchor for floating inflatable lilos, dinghies and water lounges as claimed in claim 1 wherein various water inflatables can be attached to the anchor dome using an adjustable line, strap, cord, leash or cable emanating and attached from outside the dome body.

4. An anchor for floating inflatable lilos, dinghies and water lounges as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the adjustable line, strap, cord, leash or cable is able to wrap around the body of most inflatables or attach to loops found on others such as dinghies and its length is also adjustable due to its use of extending strap sections and self-fastening areas of hook and eye material.

5. An anchor for floating inflatable lilos, dinghies and water lounges as also claimed in claim 1 wherein; the underside of the anchor may be flat or concave, to provide a gathering area for sea bed materials to aid staying ability.

6. An anchor for floating inflatable lilos, dinghies and water lounges as claimed in all previous claims is a way of keeping floating water inflatables on which people lay, in the sea or a pool, wherein the movement or dangerous drifting of water inflatables when used in the sea is prevented by them being attached to and anchored in position by a sand filled hollow dome, which is weighted and can have a hollowed underside and may have twisted pointed feet which dig into the sea bed.