US1870507A - Swimming float - Google Patents

Description

g- 9, 1932- c. c. HARRI$ 1,870,507

SWIMMING FLOAT Filed March 28, 1952 Carl C .FErra's Patented Aug. 9 1932 PATENT OFFICE GAB-L C. HARRIS, OF ORANGE, MASSACHUSETTS SWIMMING FLOAT Application filed March 28, 1932. Serial No. 601,531.

This invention relates to a float used principally for swimming and also capable of use as a life buoy.

The objects of the invention are to provide a simple life buoy or swimming float which will be comparatively rigid and durable and will be provided with a pair of side rails for the use of swimmers in the water which will be a part ofthe float and will not easily be 16 broken off, even by Very rough usage; to provide a construction which does away entirely with the usual cross rods or individual pieces that extend through it from one side to the other, a center board preferably being substii5 tuted therefor of thin material; to provide a construction which will fit the body in a general way, thus adapting it particularly for the teaching of swimming and providing a i solid body for this purpose which cannot become deflated and cause the float to lose all its buoyancy instantly, and to provide a construction in which the waste of light wood, such as Balsa wood, used in the construction will be entirely eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the central flexible center board;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the pieces of buoyant material of which the float is made;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the sides carrying the side grip Fig. 5 is a transverse central sectional view of the float as completed;

4.0 Fig. 6 is a view showing two of the pieces illustrated in Fig. 3 and illustrating how they are out out of a plank to avoid the waste of wood;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modification of this invention, and

Fig. Sis a perspective view of another form of the invention.

This float is capable of use for teaching swimming and as a life preserver and as a 5 raft.

An importantfeature is the fact that two vertical side pieces 10 are employed connected with each other by a center board 11 which is of thin material, as wood or fiber. The edges of this center board are set into longitudinal notches on the inner sides of the side pieces. On the outer sides the side pieces have side rails 12 which are shown as integral with the side pieces and furnish all the opportunity for gripping the float that is desired. This constitutes a strong side rail that is not likely to be broken off.

In the preferred form, the center board is provided with two narrow slots 13 near the edges which also serve as hand grips for the swimmers. Also in this form the main part of the float material consists of four pieces 14 of Balsa wood or other very buoyant material. To avoid waste in cutting out this material it is cut at a l5 angle at 15 through a plank 16 as shown in Fig. 6, thus furnishing two of these pieces 14 without waste. Each of these buoyant pieces is set up against the side pieces 10 in opposite sides of the center board and secured thereto by nails, screws or other fastening means 17 passing through the center board and some of them through the side pieces 10 and angularly disposed.

The float described above is light and buoyant and can be carried around on land very 0 easily by the use of the grips furnished by the slots 13 or the side rails and it is depressed at the center so that a bather can lie on it and use it as a support while learning to swim. This support for that purpose is not puncturable, of course, and therefore one of the elements of danger involved in the use of inflatable devices is entirely eliminated. The float is strong on account of the way in which the pieces 14 are secured, both to the side pieces and to the center board, and on account of the way in which the center board is secured to the side pieces at its edges. It is capable of use for all the purposes for which floats, rafts, life preservers, etc., are em- 95 ployed and furnishes many points of convenience over the old constructions.

If a more rigid float isdesired, or particularly a larger one, it can be made with the side pieces 10, side rails 12 and center board 11 as described above. In this case solid buoyant planks 20 are provided on both sides of the center board, reaching from one side piece to the other and secured by fastening devices 21 which extend through the center board. In this case greater rigidity is secured and also a large amount of buoyant material is provided and if it is desired to be used for a large raft it will be more rigid than the other form described.

In Fig. 8 is shown a modification of the same idea in which the parts 10, 12 and 20 are employed but the side pieces 10 extend beyond the ends of the plank or planks 20 to 3 provide means for attaching an end rail 22.

This has all the advantages of the form shown in Fig. 7, and a gripping rail 22 on each end.

Although I have illustrated and described only three forms of the invention I am aware of the fact that other modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited in this respect but what I do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a float comprising a center board, vertical side pieces along the sides thereof and secured thereto,

' and buoyant material secured to the opposite sides of the center board.

2. As an article of manufacture, a float comprising a thin center board, side pieces secured thereto along the inner sides thereof,

. buoyant material secured to the opposite sides of the center board, and side rails integrally mounted-on the side pieces.

3. As an article of manufacture, a float comprising a. pair of vertical side pieces extending throughout its length on opposite sides. side rails integral therewith, a center board extending'from one side piece to the other, and buoyant material mounted on both sidies of the center board between the side rai s.

4. As an article of manufacture, a float comprising a pair of vertical pieces having side rails connected therewith, a center board extending from one side piece to the other and 'set into the side pieces at both sides of the center board, and pieces of buoyant material secured to the center board at its sides and to the side pieces, said buoyant pieces being spaced from each other at the center.

5. As an article of manufacture, a float comprising a pair of vertical pieces having side rails connected therewith, a thin center board extending from one side piece to the other and secured to the side pieces at both sides of the center board, and pieces of buoyant material secured to the center board at its sides and to the side rails, said buoyant pieces having their inner surfaces cut at an angle, whereby the pieces of buoyant material can be cut out of a plank without waste of material.

6. As an article of manufacture, a float comprising a thin center board extending from side to side of the float, side pieces vertically arranged having notches on the inner sides into which the opposite sides of the center board project, and buoyant material on both sides of the center board, said center board having slots therethrough near the edge to constitute hand grips.

7. As an article of manufacture, a float comprising a pair of vertical side pieces, a center board connecting them, and buoyant material filling all the space on both sides of the center board from one side piece to the other.

8. As an article of manufacture, a float comprising a pair of vertical side pieces, a center board connecting them, and buoyant material secured to the center board, the side pieces extending beyond the buoyant mate- I rial and end rails supported by said side pieces and spaced from the buoyant material.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

CARL C. HARRIS.

Images