Patent Application
20140235121
1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to swimming accessories and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a floatation device that assists the buoyancy of a person in water.
2. Description of Related Art
Swimming or water aids that help support a person in water are popular among recreational swimmers. Some users that particularly benefit are small children, seniors, and others that are weak or are untrained swimmers. However all users, including capable adults, can benefit from swimming aids when playing games in the water, since the aids relieve some of the burden of having to constantly paddle or tread water to stay afloat, and free the person to enjoy the activity.
There are a variety of swimming aids in use. Some are worn on the person, such as lifejackets or water wings. Others are designed to be gripped or held by the person, and include such items as life-rings, flutterboards, and swim noodles. A drawback of hand held aids is that they are less convenient for playing games in which hands are actively used, such as throwing a ball. Also, while many aids are satisfactory when used in a pool or relatively tranquil water, they may become awkward to use or ineffective when used in a natural body of water, such as an ocean, that is experiencing a moderate or greater level of wave activity.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water floatation device for supporting a person in a body of water, the device comprising:
a base having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front end, and a back end;
a seat located on the upper surface and having a raised back portion, a raised front portion, and a central sitting portion positioned between the raised back portion and the raised front portion; and
The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment(s) of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiment(s) is/are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
Referring now to
Water floatation device 10 may be used as an aid or recreational water toy for a person that is swimming, playing, or otherwise relaxing in a body of water such as a swimming pool, lake, river, or ocean. As will be described in greater detail below, the person sits on the device, and the device provides a level of support and buoyancy so that less effort and physical activity is required by the person to remain afloat in the water.
Base 12 provides a core or foundation upon which the various elements of water floatation device 10 are formed or constructed. More particularly, base 12 may be viewed as being broadly rectangular in shape, and as having an upper surface 24, a lower surface 25, a front end 26, and a back end 27. Seat 14, front handle 18, and back handle 20 are located on upper surface 24, and keel 16 is located on lower surface 25. Front handle 18 is located substantially at or adjacent to front end 26, and back handle 20 is located substantially at or adjacent to back end 27.
According to some embodiments of the invention, back end 27 is wider than front end 26, so that there is a taper or narrowing in width when moving from the back to the front. Base 12 preferably has some substantive thickness, to provide mechanical strength and durability.
Lower surface 25 is preferably substantially flat, as may be seen in the bottom perspective views of
For the embodiment shown, the width at back end 27 is shown as d1 in
As noted, seat 14 is located on upper surface 24 of base 12. Seat 14 provides a relatively comfortable sitting surface for the user or rider of water floatation device 10. Seat 14 may be viewed as having a central sitting portion 28 positioned between a raised front portion 29 and a raised back portion 30.
According to some embodiments, seat 14 is sized and shaped to resemble a horse-riding type saddle in some aspects. More particularly, in
The saddle design follows from the view that the forces acting on the rider of device 10 in water are somewhat analagous to those acting on the rider of a horse. As the rider of device 10 is jostled about by turbulence, such as that caused by choppy waves or by activity of other users in the water nearby, the rider may be impelled forward or backward in the seat. Raised front and back portions 29 and 30 help keep the rider centered, so that he or she remains seated substantially within central sitting portion 28 of seat 14.
It is also to be appreciated that the overall contour of seat 14, including central portion 28 and raised front and back portions 29 and 30, is complex, having a contour that like a saddle has various curved rises and dips over its surface area. For example, the surfaces marked 41 and 43 in
According to some embodiments of the invention, raised back portion 30 is steeper, or has a sharper rise, than raised front portion 29. The sharper rise enables raised back portion 30 to provide utility as a backrest for enhanced rider comfort. In the embodiment shown in the figures, and as shown in detail in the side view of
Anti-tipping element or keel 16 as noted is located on lower surface 25 of base 12, and accordingly is the lowest element of water floatation device 10.
Keel 16 provides opposing water bearing surfaces that impede or resist the flow of water underneath device 10 and adjacent to lower surface 25 in a lateral direction, i.e. from one side of base 12 to the opposing side. In this way, water that is turbulent will have less of an effect on the motion of water floatation device 10. Keel 16 also possesses a substantive mass and volume, which has the effect of lowering the center of gravity of water floatation device 10. These features individually and in combination assist water floatation device 10 to resist lateral tipping in turbulent water, and generally increase the stability of the device.
According to some embodiments of the invention, and as shown in the figures, keel 16 may be in the form of a barrier or wall, where the opposing sides of the wall function as opposing water bearing surfaces. Keel 16 preferably extends substantially the length of lower surface 25 of base 12, and is preferably centered on lower surface 25. Keel 16 is preferably substantially straight throughout its length, but may be curved in some embodiments. The height of keel 16 is preferably in the range of about 2 to 5 inches. It is to be appreciated that the greater the height of the barrier or wall forming keel 16, the greater is the resistance to lateral flow of water.
Keel 16 also preferably has a substantive width for increased strength and durability. Having a substantive width is particularly useful to prevent device 10 from being accidentally damaged or broken when on land, where it might be sat upon, thrown about, or otherwise handled roughly. The width of keel 16 is preferably in the range of about 3 to 5 inches, and in the embodiment shown in the figures, as represented by d10 in
According to some embodiments of the invention, keel 16 may be formed as a barrier or wall having two components, a primary portion 32 that is directly connected to lower surface 25 of base 12, and which extends substantially the length of the base, and a shorter secondary portion 34 that is attached to and extends beneath the primary portion. According to some embodiments, secondary portion 34 has a length at least 40% of the length of primary portion 32. The shorter secondary portion 34 is preferably positioned in the center of primary portion 32, substantially equidistant between front end 26 and back end 27, for optimum balance. In this way, the front and back ends of keel 16 are narrower than the central part of keel 16, in that the former consists of primary portion 32 only while the latter is primary portion 32 and secondary portion 34. In
Preferably the two portions are formed from a single integral body of material. In this way keel 16 would be relatively strong and the risk of water flowing between discrete portions that are mechanically joined together is substantially eliminated. It is to be appreciated that other embodiments of keel 16 may comprise a single wall of uniform height.
According to some embodiments of the invention, keel 16 may be in the form of two or more narrower keels in parallel, spaced apart on lower surface 25. A drawback of this approach is that the narrower keels will have less mechanical strength and accordingly may be more easily damaged, particularly when moved about on land.
Front handle 18 provides a convenient front gripping surface that is available to be quickly grabbed by the person riding device 10 to help maintain balance and stability. This feature is often needed when the water body becomes turbulent, for example from rising waves in the ocean, but may also be used for other reasons such as the rider becoming faint, dizzy, or disoriented from personal circumstances or from the sun.
Front handle 18 is accordingly preferably located close enough to the user that it can be easily and quickly grasped when desired. As noted and as shown in the figures, front handle 18 may be located substantially at or adjacent to front end 26. In the embodiment shown front handle 18 is in the form of a U-shaped torus that projects upwardly from upper surface 24 of base 12. Front handle 18 is further sized and shaped throughout its length so that its gripping surface may be firmly grasped by a user's hand.
Also, and as shown most clearly in the side views of
The U-shape of handle 18 extending from one side of base 12 to the other provides an extensive gripping surface for the user to grasp. In this way, for example, if the user reaches forward but is inadvertently jerked to the side, there is a reasonable chance that his or her hand will still intercept the handle on the side. In this way, there is less likelihood that the user will miss the handle, be thrown significantly off balance, and fall off device 10. The design is also sized and shaped so that the user can grasp it with both hands.
Another advantage of the U-shape is that it creates an opening or gap 36 underneath the handle. This opening provides a space for the user's fingers or thumb to wrap around conveniently to facilitate or obtain a better grip. It also provides the option to insert one's fingers into the gap and grip the handle palm-up, if desired. Some users of device 10 may wish to tie a tether or rope to attach themselves to device 10, as a precaution to prevent device 10 from floating away in the event that they fall off the device in open water. Opening 36 enables handle 18 to provide a convenient tie or attachment point to device 10.
Another advantage of the U-shape is that it possesses a substantive volume or bulk, which increases buoyancy as described further below.
The thickness or diameter of front handle 18 for this embodiment, as shown by d17 in
Back or rear handle 20 is provided, according to some embodiments, to provide a convenient back or rear gripping surface for a person who may be standing or swimming in the water adjacent to water floatation device 10, and who wishes to have some control over the movement of device 10. For example, where the rider of device 10 is a child, the child's parent may wish to hold onto the device for a variety of reasons, such as to push the child forward, or to ensure that the child is safe and not swept away with the current.
As indicated, back handle 20 is located on upper surface 24 and substantially at or adjacent to back end 27 of base 12. Similar to front handle 18, back handle 20 may be in the form of a U-shaped torus with an opening or gap 38 under the “U” to facilitate gripping. Back handle 20 and opening 38 may also be used as an attachment point for a tether, similar to front handle 18 and opening 36. Also, at least part of the gripping surface of back handle 20 is located at a position higher above upper surface 24 than a top of raised back portion 30 of seat 14.
The thickness or diameter of back handle 20 for this embodiment, as shown by d19 in
Opposing leg indentations or recesses 22 are located in the two opposing sides of base 12. More particularly, recesses 22 are adjacent to at least part of central sitting portion 28 and at least part of raised front portion 29 of the seat.
Leg recesses 22 are sized, shaped, and positioned to provide more comfortable leg positioning for the user, including allowing the user's legs to fall or drop in a more natural and comfortable manner, and also increasing the variety and range of leg positions that may be adopted. As described in more detail below, this has the benefit of helping the user enhance his or her stability when sitting in water floatation device 10 in a body of water.
It is to be appreciated that, in the absence of opposing leg recesses 22, the user would be forced to keep his or her legs fairly wide apart at substantially all times in order to straddle the full width of a more rectangular base 12. This situation would be uncomfortable and possibly fatiguing for the user, and might compel the user to spend less time on device 10 than he or she might otherwise prefer.
In order to accommodate the user's legs when sitting in seat 14, leg recesses 22 preferably form on each side at substantially the position of a middle to back part of seat 14. As shown, recesses 22 may start at this position with a relatively sharp indentation, such as 90 degrees. From there recesses 22 may proceed with a more gentle U-shaped curve towards front end 26. At the front end recesses 22 form a slightly sharper curve in returning to the side of base 12. It is preferable that this return of recesses 22 to the side of base 12 occur sufficiently prior to front end 26 so that there remains a substantial non-recessed portion at front end 26.
As shown in
The advantage of leaving non-recessed portion at front end 26 is that it enables each leg recess 22 to include a knee resting surface 40, adjacent to raised front portion 29, in which the user may optionally place his or her knees while riding water floatation device 10. As shown in
Water floatation device 10 is preferably composed of a single, unitary, or integrated body of floatable or buoyant material. In particular, all of the elements of device 10, including base 12, seat 14, keel 16, front handle 18, and back handle 20, are preferably composed of the buoyant material.
Having a single-piece body with a common water-resistance characteristic or profile facilitates design and construction of device 10. Another advantage is that it reduces the risk of imbalances that may be caused by different elements having differing floatability or buoyancy levels, and by the risk of water penetrating the device into any empty space that may be formed between discrete attached elements.
The floatable material used in water floatation device 10 is preferably a closed-cell foam designed for marine use. The closed-cell aspect is advantageous in that it keeps water from transfering from one cell to another. As a result, water is prevented from penetrating the body of material, and device 10 does not soak up water like a sponge and lose its buoyancy. Adequate types of foam material that provide buoyancy include polyethylene and polyurethane. Polyethylene foam in particular is considered to be relatively easy to work with in that it can be bent into curved shapes and compressed into place. Some brands of polyethylene foam include Microlen™ and Thermotec™.
Closed-cell foam such as polyethylene tends to be very light relative to its volume. For example, the embodiment of water floatation device 10 as shown in the figures and having the dimensions described above has a volume of about 1,960.32 cubic inches and a weight in the range of about 1 to 2 pounds. The buoyancy of the floatable material, and correspondingly of water floatation device 10, is directly related to the volume of the material. As a result, for a greater volume the material will have a greater buoyancy, so that device 10 will create a greater upward force when placed or submerged in a body of water.
It is to be appreciated that the buoyancy of device 10 is such that when a person is not sitting on the device and the device is placed in a body of water, the device will float on the surface of the water. When a person sits on device 10, in most cases the device will be submerged below the surface of the water and at least the head of the person will be supported above the surface of the water. More particularly, there is a balance between the downward force of the person's weight and the upward force of buoyancy created by the floatable material. The degree of submergence of a user seated on device 10 depends upon the imbalance between the user's weight and the buoyancy of device 10.
For the embodiment described having a volume of about 1,960.32 cubic inches, water floatation device 10 may be used and provide adequate results for people having a weight ranging approximately from about 150 to about 250 pounds. Users of device 10 whose weight is under 150 lbs may find themselves pushed somewhat further above the water, which can be less stable. Water floatation device 10 may be scaled up or down in size when manufactured, so for these users a more suitable smaller size model having lower volume may be readily produced.
It is also to be appreciated that some of the elements of water floatation device 10 may be designed to have a larger volume, bulk, or thickness, to promote a greater level of buoyancy. This may include, for example, base 12, seat portions 28, 29, and 30, front handle 18, back handle 20, and keel 16.
According to some embodiments of the invention, all or a part of water floatation device 10 may comprise a hollow shell or bladder that contains a buoyant material, where the shell and contents are selected so that the combination is floatable or buoyant. The entire device 10 may be formed from the hollow shell, or alternatively the hollow shell may be a cavity or compartment that is part of device 10, with the rest of the device being solid foam.
In some embodiments the shell may be formed from a flexible material, such as plastic or fabric, and the contents may be air or other gas. The flexible material would inflate to form device 10 upon being filled with the air or gas. The shell may be permanently sealed, or could incorporate an airtight, sealable valve to enable the user to fill or expel the air or gas as desired. Alternatively, the flexible shell could be filled with a solid or substantially solid buoyant material, such as foam beads. The beads may be made of closed cell foam of the type described above, and are typically individually very small in size so that there may be many thousands in device 10. The beads could completely fill the hollow interior of the shell so that they are tightly packed in place and relatively immobile, or alternatively may be more loosely packed so that there is some shifting in position. According to some embodiments of the invention, a hard shell that retains its shape may be used instead of the soft and flexible type described above. The hard shell may be formed from injected plastic or other material that is relatively light, rigid, and strong. Contents of the shell may be air, gas, or solid or substantially solid material such as foam beads.
As shown, the point of balance is such that the person is submerged to a depth where the waterline is at the person's breast level. This level of depth is optimal because it leaves the person's arms and shoulders above waterline 46 where they have substantial freedom of movement, while retaining a substantial sense of stability by the user in the water.
In
One type of corrective action is for rider 42 to grasp front handle 18 with one or both hands. In the figures rider 42 holds front handle 18 with one hand, and uses the other hand for balance by stretching out his arm and placing the hand in the water and paddling or pushing the water with the palm of the hand. The rider may move this hand rapidly in various directions in the water, as appropriate for the degree of turbulence.
The rider may also move his legs between a variety of positions in an effort to maintain balance. The positions may include letting the legs hang loosely as shown in
It is to be appreciated that the actions of rider 42 will be appropriate to the level of turbulence experienced. For example, where the turbulence level is mild, rider 42 may only need to hold front handle 18 with one hand to feel stable. In that case he may be able to continue with the recreational activity, for example, by throwing the ball with the other hand. In another situation, where the level of turbulence or wave choppiness is very high, rider 42 may need to engage both hands and legs, making constant adjustments and shifts in movement in order to remain seated on device 10. For example, while rider 42 may keep a constant grip on front handle 18, the gripping arm may need to constantly switch between pulling and pushing. The other arm may be constantly paddling in the water in different directions, and the rider's legs may shift constantly among some combination of leg positions such as those described above.
It is to be appreciated that water floatation device 10 provides a level of versatility and range of use that is often not available with conventional swimming aids. Some devices of the prior art assist with floatation and leave the arms free, but do not provide a gripping surface to assist with stability. Alternately, other devices provide a gripping surface but require it to be constantly held, so that the user's hands are never free. By contrast, water floatation device 10 of the present invention enables a user to enjoy hands-free operation, but at the same time provides a convenient and easily accessible gripping surface in the form of front handle 18 that can be quickly grasped to help the user maintain balance as the body of water becomes more turbulent.
Further, unlike some devices which are relatively flat and two-dimensional, water floatation device 10 of the present invention has a three-dimensional structure in that the handles and raised seat portions project upwardly in a plane perpendicular to that of base 12. Further, by locating front handle 18 substantially at front end 26, the handle does not interfere with arm movement of the rider when the rider is operating device 10 in hands-free mode, such as that shown in
Although selected embodiment(s) of the present invention has/have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment(s). Instead, it is to be appreciated that changes may be made to this/these embodiment(s) without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
