US2009551A

US2009551A - Swimming apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2009551A
Application number: US10996A
Authority: US
Inventors: Huebner Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-03-14
Filing date: 1935-03-14
Publication date: 1935-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1952-07-30

Description

Jufly 3Q, 1935. I u 2,009,551

SWIMMING AP ARATUS Filed March 14, 1935 \NVENTOR I Zz'rfzard Haiku! ATTORN EY Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 14,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in swimming apparatus, particularly an apparatus for supporting persons, who do not know how to swim, when bathing or enjoying water sports, to prevent their drowning, and for imparting to them a certain security in the water.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a swimming apparatus which, besides keeping persons afloat, will allow their propulsion so that they may safely reach land in case of danger.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a swimming apparatus of comparatively simple and therefore inexpensive construction, yet durable and highly eflicient in use.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a swimming apparatus embodying inflatible, interconnected members, which besides their buoyant quality serve as propelling means also, so that a non-swimmer, particularly when using a body float, can keep himself above water and save himself by reaching land.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a swimming apparatus serving to the amusement for young and old, and equipped with means to inflate the buoyant bodies, and so constructed that upon the deflation of said bodies, it may be safely and conveniently carried along.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a swimming apparatus using as buoyant members hollow metal balls or bodies of other suitable material and shape, and which may be equipped with suitable fins or paddles to assist in the propulsion.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become more fully known as the description thereof proceeds, and will then be specifically defined in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective view a swimming apparatus constructed according to my invention in operation.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my swimming apparatus, partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional detail view of a valve.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail, sectional view of a modified form of buoyant element.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective View of a modification showing one of the buoyant members equipped with a fin or paddle.

As illustrated, my swimming apparatus is com.-

1935, Serial No. 10,996

posed of two substantially oblong hollow bodies I0 and II which are connected by means of a rod I2 or the like, these bodies, however may have any desired contour, and. may be made of any suitable material. Each of the bodies I U and II is made in two halves connected with their flanges as indicated at M.

Within each of these bodies l0 and H, is contained a buoyant, inflatable member I3 which may be of any suitable material and shape. These bodies are inflated by means of air from an air pump or by any other suitable means. If inflated from an air pump this is done by the intermediary of a suitable valve, generally designated is including the well known nipple I6 and cap I! of the customary construction, not forming part of this invention.

It will be clear that any number of such buoyant, inflatable bodies or members may be enclosed in each of the bodies It! and l l and connected in suitable manner.

As shown in Figure 6, the bodies l0 and l I may be replaced by hollow, substantially ball-shaped buoyant members I8 connected by a rod Hi.

In order to facilitate the swimming and propulsion the outwardly extending ends of the rods l2 and 19 may be equipped with fins or paddles 20 of the shape shown or any other suitable shape.

The use of my swimming apparatus will greatly be enhanced by the simultaneous use of a belt 2| placed about the body of the swimmer, and having secured to its ends buoyant members 22, 23 of any suitable shape.

In practice the members 22, 23 are placed about the body by means of their connecting belt 2| to keep the body afloat, and the swimmer taking hold of the rods l2 or l9 will be able to keep the head above water and by. using the apparatus in the manner indicated in Figure 1 will be able to propel himself until reaching land, thus illustrating the use of my device as a life saving apparatus primarily intended for nonswimmers but also greatly contributing to the safety and amusement of expert swimmers.

It will be understood that I have described and shown the preferred forms of my device as examples only of the many possible ways to practically construct the same, and that I may make such changes in the general arrangement of my swimming apparatus and in the construction of its minor details, as come within the scope of the appended claim without departure from the spirit of my invention and the principle involved.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A swimming apparatus comprising two hollow 5 bodies each made in two halves, flanges on each of the halves to unite the same to form said bodies, an inflatable member in each of said bodies, a rod connecting both bodies, and valves on said rod controlling the inflation of said members, said rod and bodies contributing to the use of the apparatus as means to propel the same.

RICHARD HUEBNER.