US2974331A

US2974331A - Swim float

Info

Publication number: US2974331A
Application number: US782349A
Authority: US
Inventors: Melvin W Dize
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-12-19
Filing date: 1958-12-19
Publication date: 1961-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1978-03-14

Description

M. W. DIZE March 14, 1961 SWIM FLOAT Filed Dec. 19, 1958 INVENTOR mam w. 4%,;

- Patented Mar. 14:, 1961 SWllVI FLOAT Melvin W. Dize, Honolulu, Hawaii (4045 Heutte Drive, Norfolk 3, Va.)

Filed Dec. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 782,349

3 Claims. (Cl. 9-347) My invention relates to improvements in swim floats, for use in skin diving and other forms of water sports and recreation, water rescue and life saving, and other activities and enterprises involving persons in the water.

An important object of the invention is to provide a reasonably inexpensive, simple, durable and safe swim float for the aforementioned uses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a swim float which can be easily propelled and maneuvered by persons in the water. I

A still further object is to provide a swim float which can be easily handled, transported, and stored on land.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the swim float showing two accessory items, described hereinafter, which can be attached to provide greater water enjoyment, particularly for children.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the swim float showing more elaborate accessory items, described hereinafter, which can be attached to increase the utility and safety of the float for skin and other types of diving.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 3 designates floatable members shown in this instance as composed of cylindrical tanks, the ends of which are hemispherical in shape. In each end of these floatable members are affixed trunnion pivots 4 which hold these members in a frame assembly and enable them to be rotated about their longitudinal axes.

The rotation of the floatable members enables the swim float to be rolled on land thereby facilitating ease of handling on shore and between the beach and the water. It also enables operation of the paddlewheel accessory, described hereinafter, which adds to water enjoyment for children. This feature also imparts greater safety to the swim float for water activities. event a hole is accidentally made in the underwater side of a floatable member, the member could be rotated to a position which would raise the hole out of the water, thereby preventing entry of the Water and preserving the buoyancy of the member. Another purpose of the rotation of the floatable members is to facilitate operation of the anchor Windlass accessory, described hereinafter.

The frame assembly is composed of rigid tubing comprising two large members 5 having a right angle curved bend in both ends of each member, and two straight coupling members 6, their inside diameter being slightly larger than the outside diameter of the large members. The ends of the large members slide snugly into the coupling members and screws passing through both-members hold the entire frame assembly securely together."

The frame assembly holds the floatable members in the proper position relative to each other. It also provides In the 2 V a firm handhold for use in lifting and carrying the float as well as for holding onto and maneuvering the float in the water. The normal method of propelling the swim float is to grasp one of the large frame members 5 with the hands spread fairly well apart, and execute a swim kick with the legs, preferably using swim fins. This action propels the swim float in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the floatable members. Changing direction, while continuing to kick, is easily accomplished by rotating the swim float in a horizontal plane, similar to the action of turning the handlebars of a bicycle, in which case the swim float and swimmer immediately turn and move in a new direction parallel to the new direction of the axes of the floatable members. The frame assembly is also useful as a firm support for tying or otherwise attaching fish or items of equipment. -It also provides a firm support for mounting accessory members designated by the numerals 8 through 16, inclusive, and described hereinafter.

The numeral 7 designates a paddlewheel accessory comprising a belt of pliable material with fairly stiff blade-like fins protruding from it. When the paddlewheel member is strapped onto a floatable member, frietion prevents slippage between it and the floatable memher. In this position, the fins of the paddlewheel member are parallel to the axis of the floatable member as well as being perpendicular to a circular cross section of the floatable member, and rotating of the floatable member by hand enables the swim float to be propelled through the water.

The numeral 8 designates a belt type seat accessory member which when attached across the large frame members enables smaller children to sit upright within the frame assembly, and larger persons to sit or be carried by resting their buttocks on the seat and letting their legs and back he supported by the floatable members on each end of the swim float.

The numeral 9 designates an anchor line which attaches on one end to a small anchor (not shown) for the purpose of anchoring the swim float when desired. The other end of the anchor line is wound on an anchor Windlass accessory member comprising a hollow shaft 10 with drtun fittings 11 on either end. The anchor windlass member slides over a frame coupling member with the drum fittings pressing against a floatable member so that friction prevents slippage between the two members when either is rotated. The mechanical advantage provided by the larger floatable member turning the smaller drum fitting member enables the anchor to be walked out or reeled in with considerable ease. A locking pin 12 inserted through both the Windlass shaft memher and the frame coupling member prevents undesired rotation of the Windlass member.

The numeral 13 designates a net accessory member which provides simple, economical wet carrying space for such items as fish, coral, and shells. More elaborate is an elevated tray accessory 14 member which, being elevated above the water, offers considerably less resistance to the movement of the swim float through the water when used in lieu of the net. In addition, the tray member provides generally dry carrying space for items not desired to be continually immersed in water,

such as emergency signaling devices, first-aid kit, tools,

and other items of equipment.

The numerals 15 and 16 designate respectively a staff member and a pennant member, the latter member composed of glaringly visible material. These members will materially assist an observer in keeping the swim float insight, in addition to assisting a person using thefloat in i quickly relocating the float after emerging from a dive beneathlliesurfacepf the water.

It is to be understood thafthe formof my invention,

swim

herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A swim float comprising a closed rectangular frame, a plurality of floats attached within the frame, at least one of said floats being a rotatable element and journaled within said frame, and a Windlass attached tothe frame in juxtaposition with one of the floats which is a rotatable element in such a manner that friction coupling is provided between said float and said Windlass.

2. A swim float comprising a closed rectangular frame of rod-like elements, a plurality of floats attached within said frame, at least one of said floats being a rotatable element and journalled in said rod-like elements, and a Windlass consisting of a hollow shaft provided at each end with flanges, said Windlass attached to the frame by means of one of the rod-like elements passing through said hollow shaft thereby providing an axle about which the Windlass can rotate and also placing the Windlass in juxtaposition with one of the floats which is a rotatable element in such a manner that friction coupling is provided between said float and said'windlass.

3. A swim float comprising a closed frame, said frame consisting of rod-like elements forming a rectangle, a float within said frame at each end thereof and journaled in said rod-like elements, each float being cylindrical in shape, and a Windlass consisting of a hollow shaft provided at each end with drum-like flanges, said Windlass being attached to the frame by one of the rod-like elements passing through said hollow shaft thereby providing an axle about which the Windlass can rotate and also placing the Windlass in juxtaposition with one of the floats in such a manner that friction coupling is provided between said float and the flange ends of said Windlass.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,814,057 Burns Nov. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS FA-55,094 France Dec. 20, 1950 331,265 Italy Oct. 31, 1935 429,360 Germany May 26, 1926 641,454 Germany Feb. 1, 1937 781,887 France Mar. 4, 1935