Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Water skimming or walking device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-15
2001-04-17
Sotelo, Jesus D. (Department: 3617)
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Water skimming or walking device
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217401
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of recreational vehicles, and more particularly to an inflatable towable vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art is replete with myriad and diverse inflatable vehicles. These vehicles typically included an inflated body member with a protective fabric shell which is secured to the body member by a zipper closure. These zippers add to the cost of manufacture and are subject to failure.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical inflatable towable vehicle having the shell secured to the body member without the use of zippers.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved inflatable towable vehicle, and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention provides an inflatable towable vehicle including an inflatable body member having an interior wall defining a central cavity, a flexible body shell disposed to surround the body member and having an end opening at the lower part of the interior wall, and a seat sized to matingly fit within the central cavity. The exterior wall of the seat engages the body shell over the interior wall of the body member and pulls the body shell taut as the seat is inserted into the cavity. The seat includes an inflatable bladder with an outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of the cavity which slightly deforms the body member to provide a seal between the body member and the seat. Thus, no zipper closures are required to secure the body shell to the body member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4635581 (1987-01-01), Sceurer
patent: 5167554 (1992-12-01), Tager et al.
Henderson & Sturm LLP
Sotelo Jesus D.
Sportsstuff Inc.
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