Patent Application
20210129966
Embodiments relate generally to inflatable rafts. More specifically, embodiments relates to inflatable rafts, and pool loungers, in particular, that are configured to accept two propellers or motors, one on each side of the raft that are individually controllable by an operator.
Inflatable rafts, also sometimes referred to as inflatable loungers, such as those used in swimming pools or lakes are well known. Generally, a user inflates the raft and then proceeds to lounge on it. Also well-known is that some inflatable rafts have arms into which holes for holding beverages are included.
Further, propellers or motors have been used on inflatable pool loungers in the past. One such motorized pool lounger that was available from the Applicant was sold under the brand name Excalibur. A significant issue with the Excalibur pool lounger was setting it, that is putting batteries in the battery compartment and attaching the motors. The most serious drawback was the requirement to unscrew and screw a number of screws that secured the components that made up the battery compartment. The process was time consuming, tiring, frustrating, and generally led to the user giving up and simply using the lounger as a conventional lounger with no motor.
In an embodiment, a motorized inflatable raft includes independently controllable propellers to propel the raft. The propellers are part of a propeller control assembly that includes a power source and a joystick for control. Direction of motion is controlled by rotating independent propeller control assemblies using a joystick controller. Turning on the propellers in an embodiment is accomplished by pressing a button on the joystick controller. Assembly is simplified using an easily screwed screw cap that securely fastens a battery housing that is connected through tubing to the propeller to the joystick controller. This eliminates the hassle associated with assembly in prior motorized inflatable rafts. In an embodiment, power is supplied by a battery power supply placed in a housing.
In an embodiment, a motorized inflatable raft includes a propeller, a propeller controller assembly, which itself includes a battery housing that includes a battery housing cover and a battery compartment where batteries to power the propeller are placed, the battery compartment having a post that is configured to extend through the cover and a screw cap that screws onto the post to securely fasten the battery housing cover to the battery compartment, a back rest, and an armrest having a hole therein through which the propeller controller assembly is inserted.
In another embodiment, the motorized inflatable raft includes a second propeller, a second propeller controller assembly, which itself includes a battery housing that includes a battery housing cover and a battery compartment where batteries to power the propeller are placed, the battery compartment having a post that is configured to extend through the cover and a screw cap that screws onto the post to securely fasten the battery housing cover to the battery compartment, and a second armrest having a hole therein through which the propeller controller assembly is inserted.
Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the disclosed embodiments.
It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications could be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
Referring to
In an embodiment, battery compartment 116a is flanged (closer to battery housing cover 302) to prevent propeller control assembly 112a from slipping through hole 110a. In an embodiment, battery compartment 116b is flanged at the top (closer to battery housing cover 302) to prevent propeller control assembly 112b from slipping through hole 110b. In another embodiment, battery compartment 116a is configured to be wider at the top (closer to battery housing cover 302) than the bottom such that the wider top will not fit through hole 110a to prevent propeller control assembly 112a from slipping through hole 110a. In another embodiment, battery compartment 116b is configured to be wider at the top (closer to battery housing cover 302) than the bottom such that the wider top will not fit through hole 110a to prevent propeller control assembly 112b from slipping through hole 110b.
In an embodiment, propeller control assembly 112a includes a propeller 114a, a battery housing 116a that holds one or more batteries (not shown) to supply power to propeller and which has a tube extension or attachment 118a, a propeller 114a that has a tube 402 extension or attachment thereto, and a joystick controller 115a. In combination, tube extension or attachment 118a and tube extension or attachment 402 act as a conduit to provide protection for one or more wires that supply power to propeller 114a. In an embodiment, propeller control assembly 112b includes a propeller 114b, a housing 116b that holds one or more batteries (not shown) to supply power to propeller 114b, a tube 118b that provides protected conduit for at least one wire to provide power to propeller 114b, and a joystick controller 115b. In operation, joystick controllers 115a and 115b are using to control turning propellers 114a and 114b respectively on and off, and propeller control assemblies 112a and 112b are rotated using the joystick controllers 115a and 115b to control the direction of propellers 114a and 114b respectively.
In an embodiment, one or both arm rests 108a and 108b includes a hole, such as hole 120, for accepting a beverage container, such as a cup, bottle, can, etc. that contains a beverage. Hole 120 can go all the way through raft 100 from top of arm rest 108a through the bottom of arm rest 108a. In an alternative embodiment, hole 120 has a bottom such that the hole does not extend all the way through raft 100. For example, the bottom of hole 120 can be place in a position for the type of beverage container or containers likely to be used by a user of raft 100.
As shown in
Raft 100 can be made from any suitable material, including for example, polyethylene or other plastics. Manufacturing techniques to make a raft 100 in accordance with the description provided above would be well known to those having skill in the relevant arts.
Propeller control assemblies 112a and 112b have the same design and operate the same way. To simply the present disclosure, only propeller control assembly 112a is described in detail herein. Propeller control assembly 112b is the same.
To facilitate assembly of propeller control assembly 112a when assembling propeller control assembly 112a for use to propel raft 100, a screw cap 306 is used to securely attach or fasten battery housing cover 302 to a battery compartment 304. This is done by screwing cap 306 to a post 308 that is integrated with battery compartment 304. In an embodiment, a portion of post 308 is threaded to allow cap 306 to be screwed to it to securely attach cover 302 to battery compartment 304.
In an embodiment, to ensure proper alignment of battery housing cover 302 with battery compartment 304 one or more alignment structures are provided in battery housing cover 302 and battery compartment 304. For example, as shown in
When assembled in operation to be used with raft 100, propeller controller assembly 112a is assembled by passing tubes 118a and 402 through opposite side of hole 110a as shown in
In an embodiment, an o-ring or other sealing mechanism can be placed on the outside diameter of tube 402 or inside diameter of tube 118 to provide better water proofing for operation. For similar water proofing considerations, in an embodiment, an o-ring or other sealing mechanism can be provided for better waterproofing of cap 306 between it and the top of batter housing cover 302, when cap 306 is screwed to post 308.
The terms, “for example,” “e.g.,” “in one/another aspect,” “in one/another scenario,” “in one/another version,” “in some configurations,” “in some implementations,” “preferably,” “usually,” “typically,” “may,” and “optionally,” as used herein, are intended to be used to introduce non-limiting embodiments. Unless expressly stated otherwise, while certain references are made to certain example system components or services, other components and services may be used as well and/or the example components may be combined into fewer components and/or divided into further components.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Furthermore, the various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. For example, the inflatable device depicted in the figures above is in the shape of a pool tube, but embodiments are not so limited. Essentially all inflatable devices can utilize LEDs; all inflatable devices utilizing LEDs can be modified, changed, or formed into various shapes, sizes, and themes; and all inflatable devices utilizing LEDs may be additionally equipped with amusement features including water sprayer assemblies, remote controlled propellers, or other inflatable elements.
