WO1992009334A1 - Systeme de flotteurs - Google Patents

Systeme de flotteurs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992009334A1
WO1992009334A1 PCT/AU1991/000542 AU9100542W WO9209334A1 WO 1992009334 A1 WO1992009334 A1 WO 1992009334A1 AU 9100542 W AU9100542 W AU 9100542W WO 9209334 A1 WO9209334 A1 WO 9209334A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flotation device
user
floats
water
web
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1991/000542
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Douglas Tarca
Original Assignee
Douglas Tarca
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Douglas Tarca filed Critical Douglas Tarca
Publication of WO1992009334A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992009334A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/48—Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/49—Floating structures with underwater viewing devices, e.g. with windows ; Arrangements on floating structures of underwater viewing devices, e.g. on boats

Definitions

  • swimming aids and flotation devices such as tyre tubes or inflatable rings, which help maintain the user afloat.
  • these swimming aids and flotation devices tend to orientate the user vertically, rather than in the horizontal position required for snorkelling, and they also restrict or hinder arm movement.
  • Other swimming or flotation aids such as surfboards and air mattresses, support the user in a horizontal position but still impede or restrict arm and/or leg movements by the user.
  • the present invention provides a flotation device suitable for supporting a user afloat in water in a generally horizontal position, the flotation device comprising a pair of spaced elongate floats which, in use, are located at either side of the user's torso, and a body support means extending between the floats.
  • the floats are of such length as to extend generally from the swimmer's armpit to the hip region in use.
  • the device may be made in several sizes, e.g. a children's size and an adult size, to suit different users.
  • the floats are inflatable tubes of plastics material. Such tubes can be manufactured economically, and packaged and stored compactly in deflated form.
  • the inflatable tubes may have internal baffles to divide each float into a plurality of buoyancy chambers to increase the stability of the swimming aid.
  • the tubes may be provided with check valves of the type commonly found on inflatable swimming aids.
  • the floats may comprise solid buoyant material such as a foamed plastic, e.g. expanded polystyrene, or natural buoyant material such as cork or balsa wood.
  • solid buoyant material such as a foamed plastic, e.g. expanded polystyrene, or natural buoyant material such as cork or balsa wood.
  • the body support means preferably comprises a pair of spaced web members extending transversely between the floats.
  • the web members may be inflatable and may also be provided with baffles and air valves.
  • at least one of the web members is provided with an adjustment mechanism to vary the distance between the floats so as to allow the flotation device to suit a range of body sizes.
  • the spaced web members of the preferred embodiment include a forward web and a rear web, the forward web in use supporting generally the chest portion of the user and the rear web supporting generally the hip/waist portion of the user.
  • the forward web is of angled or curved configuration and the rear web is provided with the adjustment means.
  • the flotation device is provided with an underwater viewing mask, suitably connected to the leading portion on the angled forward web.
  • the viewing mask is so constructed and connected to the flotation device that, in use, it extends below water while its eyepiece remains above the surface of the water.
  • the viewing mask is detachably connected to the flotation device.
  • the user lies face down on the body support means between the spaced floats, thereby being suspended afloat effortlessly in a generally horizontal position, with unrestricted arm and leg movement.
  • the location of the floats on either side of the user's body helps stabilize the user.
  • the detachable mask allows the user to view objects underwater without immersing his head in the water.
  • the present invention allows non-swimmers or poor swimmers, or others who lack confidence in water, to practise and enjoy snorkelling, underwater coral viewing and similar activities. Further, it permits the user to practise such activities for longer periods of time as it obviates or minimises the effort required to stay afloat.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the flotation device of the preferred embodiment without a viewing mask
  • Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the device of Fig. 1, with a detachable viewing mask;
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the flotation device of the preferred embodiment in use.
  • the flotation device 10 comprises a pair of spaced, elongate inflatable floats 12.
  • the floats 12 are provided with check valves 14 to permit inflation.
  • the floats 12 may be subdivided internally by baffles into separate buoyancy chambers.
  • the floats 12 are made of flexible, gas impermeable, plastics material.
  • the floats may be of constant cross-section or tapered, of circular or other suitable cross-section, and formed of single or plural tubes.
  • a forward web 16 Extending transversely between the floats 12 are two spaced webs, a forward web 16 and a rear web 18. Each web is secured at each end to the floats 12 and may be formed integrally therewith.
  • the forward web 16 is curved or angled in shape which, in use, supports the upper portion of the swimmer's chest while allowing freedom of arm movement.
  • the forward web 16 is also inflatable and may be provided with a separate air valve 17, or in fluid communication with either or both floats 12.
  • the rear web 18 is preferably adjustable in length. (Alternatively, the flotation device 10 may be made in different sizes). In the illustrated embodiment, the web 18 is divided into two portions 20, 22, the adjacent ends 25, 26 of which are provided with reinforced holes 30 which may be laced together by cord 32. In this manner, the spacing between ends 25, 26, and hence the length of web 18, may be varied to suit users of different body sizes.
  • an underwater viewing mask 35 may be detachably connected to the forward web 16.
  • the viewing mask is provided with a flange 45 which may be attached to a front flange 36 on the forward web 16 by press studs 46.
  • the viewing mask 35 comprises a generally tubular housing 42 having a sealed glass or perspex lens plate 37 at the bottom thereof, and an eyepiece 39 at its top as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the lens plate 37 is located below the water surface to avoid surface refraction and reflection, while the eyepiece 39 is located above the surface of the water.
  • the use of the viewing mask 35 allows the user to view underwater objects clearly without immersing his head in the water.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates the flotation device 10 in use.
  • the floats 12 are located on either side of the user's body and extend from generally under the armpit to the hip of the user, thereby maintaining the user in a stable horizontal floating position.
  • the curved forward web 16 supports the user's chest and allows free arm movement, while the rear web 18 supports the waist portion of the user.
  • the flotation device may be used either with or without the viewing mask 35. In the latter case, a conventional diving mask (and snorkel) may be worn by the user.
  • the floats 12 may be of solid buoyant material.
  • an opening may be provided in the forward web in which the user may insert a conventional underwater or diving mask worn by the user, or a custom mask may be fitted to the opening.
  • the invention has been described with particular reference to its use in snorkelling activities, it has wider application. For example, it can be used in swimming tuition by maintaining the pupil afloat while the pupil gains confidence and swimming expertise.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

Un système de flotteurs (10) est conçu pour soutenir un utilisateur dans l'eau, dans une position généralement horizontale, sans que ledit utilisateur soit limité dans ses mouvements de bras et de jambes. Le système de flotteurs (10) comprend deux flotteurs (12) séparés qui; pendant l'utilisation, sont placés contre les flancs de l'utilisateur. Les flotteurs (12) sont reliés par une paire d'éléments allongés (16, 18) qui soutiennent le torse de l'utilisateur. Le système de flotteurs (10) permet à l'utilisateur de se livrer aux plaisirs de l'observation sous-marine ou autre activité similiaire, sans avoir à effectuer les mouvements nécessaires pour tenir sur l'eau. Un masque (35) d'observation sous-marine peut être monté de façon amovible sur le système de flotteurs.
PCT/AU1991/000542 1990-11-26 1991-11-25 Systeme de flotteurs WO1992009334A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU66959/90 1990-11-26
AU66959/90A AU6695990A (en) 1990-11-26 1990-11-26 Flotation device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992009334A1 true WO1992009334A1 (fr) 1992-06-11

Family

ID=3751342

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1991/000542 WO1992009334A1 (fr) 1990-11-26 1991-11-25 Systeme de flotteurs

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6695990A (fr)
WO (1) WO1992009334A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD775294S1 (en) 2015-02-18 2016-12-27 Ericka Nicole Malone Enterprises Llc Flotation device
USD806814S1 (en) 2016-10-12 2018-01-02 The MCR Group, LLC Flotation device
USD807459S1 (en) 2016-10-12 2018-01-09 The MCR Group, LLC Flotation device
USD807458S1 (en) 2016-10-12 2018-01-09 The MCR Group, LLC Flotation device
USD821522S1 (en) 2015-02-18 2018-06-26 The Mcr Group, Inc. Flotation device

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1798479A (en) * 1928-09-24 1931-03-31 Margolith Mordicha Life preserver
DE861808C (de) * 1951-03-13 1953-01-05 Adam Geier Aufblasbare Schwimmbinde
US3056979A (en) * 1958-05-19 1962-10-09 Forrest E Holladay Inflatable floats
DE2321610A1 (de) * 1973-04-28 1974-11-14 Hans Mehrbrey Schwimmkoerper zum transportieren des menschlichen koerpers im wasser

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1798479A (en) * 1928-09-24 1931-03-31 Margolith Mordicha Life preserver
DE861808C (de) * 1951-03-13 1953-01-05 Adam Geier Aufblasbare Schwimmbinde
US3056979A (en) * 1958-05-19 1962-10-09 Forrest E Holladay Inflatable floats
DE2321610A1 (de) * 1973-04-28 1974-11-14 Hans Mehrbrey Schwimmkoerper zum transportieren des menschlichen koerpers im wasser

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD775294S1 (en) 2015-02-18 2016-12-27 Ericka Nicole Malone Enterprises Llc Flotation device
USD821522S1 (en) 2015-02-18 2018-06-26 The Mcr Group, Inc. Flotation device
USD806814S1 (en) 2016-10-12 2018-01-02 The MCR Group, LLC Flotation device
USD807459S1 (en) 2016-10-12 2018-01-09 The MCR Group, LLC Flotation device
USD807458S1 (en) 2016-10-12 2018-01-09 The MCR Group, LLC Flotation device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6695990A (en) 1992-06-18

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