Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Buoyancy underwater viewing device
Patent
1989-06-19
1990-11-27
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Buoyancy underwater viewing device
441 65, 114 66, B63B 3572
Patent
active
049732790
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
My present invention relates to an appliance for assisting a swimmer in the water and, more particularly, to an appliance for assisting a swimmer swim or float in the wake of or behind a moving boat or for assisting a swimmer being towed by the boat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple appliance by means of which a sport swimmer may be easily towed and/or swim behind or in the wake of a boat.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple appliance by means of which a sport swimmer may be towed and/or swim behind a moving boat which allows the swimmer to easily glide laterally in the water and to dive and swim below the water for certain distances.
According to my invention the appliance for assisting a swimmer in swimming, floating or being towed in the wake of or behind a boat, comprises a substantially board-shaped floating body having a leading edge and a trailing edge. Each of the leading and trailing edges have a V-shaped cross section. The floating body has a glass panel mounted centrally therein so that the swimmer can observe through the floating body and the floating body has two longitudinal sides each having a handle in the shape of an arcuate protrusion projecting therefrom. Each of the handles are located in the vicinity of the center of the longitudinal side, and the longitudinal sides are divided by a central transverse axis of the floating body. Each of the handles have a through-going handle opening positioned between the transverse axis and the leading edge.
The floating body is advantageously nearly square except for the protruding handles.
The glass panel may advantageously be provided with a transverse reinforcing web for greater strength.
A depression for the comfort of the hand is advantageously provided in each handle on the other side of the transverse axis opposite that having the through-going opening.
Other features are described in the appended dependent claims including fastening means for a tow rope and a tow rope assembly.
During use, the appliance is fastened by means of a tow rope to the boat or a trailing rope of a boat. The swimmer is drawn by the boat in the wake thereof in the swimming position, the appliance being grasped by his hands laterally at the handles. The floating body has a carrying effect also when the dragging boat does not have any speed. When the boat is moving the swimmer has the possibility to veer out to the left or to the right or to dive over certain distances by differently adjusting the floating body, e.g. by pivoting it about the transverse axis or by an inclined position of the longitudinal axis relative to the direction of movement. The transverse distance of the handles of, for example, 70 to 80 cm and the arrangement of the handle openings in front of the transverse axis facilitate the handling for the swimmer. By the fact that the ends of the tow rope are arranged in front of the transverse axis, the stability of the floating body during motion of the boat is ensured. Furthermore, either above water or below water, the swimmer has the possibility to observe the world below water surface through the glass panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the appliance according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a section on the line II-II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a section on the line III-III of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows the use of the appliance according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiment of the appliance shown in the drawing comprises a board-like floating body 10 with a square or approximately square shape. In the center part, there is inserted a transparent glass panel 12. At both longitudinal sides 11 the floating body has arcuate protrusions forming handles 14 which each have a handle opening 15. The through-going handle openi
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patent: 4850914 (1989-07-01), Cox
Bartz Clifford T.
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
Striker Michael J.
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