U.S. patent application number 11/122416 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for buoyant mattress for snorkeler.
Invention is credited to Joseph H. Krantz.
Application Number | 20060252318 11/122416 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37394568 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060252318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krantz; Joseph H. |
November 9, 2006 |
Buoyant mattress for snorkeler
Abstract
A buoyant mattress device for a snorkeler. An elongated buoyant
mattress is provided for buoyantly supporting the body weight of a
snorkeler positioned thereatop in a prone position. A viewing hole
formed transversely entirely through the mattress and entirely open
therethrough is adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of
said mattress for receiving a face mask and snorkel worn by the
snorkeler while the snorkeler is supported in water in the prone
position atop the mattress. The viewing hole is unobstructed to
water entering therein through the open lower end thereof which, in
combination with the thickness and buoyancy of the mattress places
the viewing lens of the face mask below the surface of the water
within the hole, providing the snorkeler with an unobstructed
underwater view through the face mask.
Inventors: |
Krantz; Joseph H.; (Arvada,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles J. Prescott, P.A.
Suite 115
2033 Wood Street
Sarasota
FL
34237
US
|
Family ID: |
37394568 |
Appl. No.: |
11/122416 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
441/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 35/58 20130101;
B63B 34/00 20200201; B63C 11/49 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
441/035 |
International
Class: |
B63B 35/58 20060101
B63B035/58 |
Claims
1. A buoyant mattress device for a snorkeler comprising: an
elongated buoyant mattress for supporting a snorkeler positioned
thereatop in a prone position; a substantially open viewing hole
formed through said mattress, said viewing hole sized and
positioned adjacent to one end of said mattress for receiving a
face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler while the snorkeler is
supported in water in the prone position atop said mattress; said
viewing hole unobstructed to water entering therein through a lower
end thereof and said mattress having a thickness and buoyancy which
causes the face mask to be below the surface of the water within
the hole whereby the snorkeler has an unobstructed underwater view
into the water through the face mask.
2. A buoyant snorkeler's mattress device comprising: an elongated
buoyant air-filled mattress for supporting a snorkeler wearing a
face mask and snorkel and positioned atop said mattress in a prone
position, the face mask having a transparent viewing lens; a
viewing hole formed through said mattress, said viewing hole
adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of said mattress
for receiving the face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler and
positioned within the viewing hole while the snorkeler is supported
in water in the prone position atop said mattress; said viewing
hole unobstructed to water entering therein and said mattress
having a thickness and buoyancy to cause the viewing lens of the
face mask to be below the surface of the water within the hole
providing the snorkeler with an unobstructed underwater view.
3. A buoyant mattress device for a snorkeler comprising: an
elongated buoyant molded foam mattress for supporting a snorkeler
positioned thereatop in a prone position; an unobstructed open
ended viewing hole formed transversely through said mattress, said
viewing hole adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of
said mattress for receiving the user's face and a face mask and
snorkel worn by the snorkeler while the snorkeler is supported in
the prone position atop said mattress floating in water; said
viewing hole unobstructed to water entering therein and said
mattress having a thickness and buoyancy which causes the face mask
to be below the surface of the water within the hole whereby the
snorkeler has an unobstructed underwater view and the upper end of
the snorkel is positioned substantially above the waterline.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] This invention relates generally to accessories for swimmers
and more particularly to a buoyant mattress for supporting a
snorkeler in the prone position thereatop.
[0006] 2. Description of Related Art
[0007] For those who enjoy swimming and water activities, exploring
the area beneath the surface of the water greatly enhances a
swimmer's experience. A snorkeler's face mask and snorkel for
breathing at the surface of the water while being able to have an
underwater view is one form of such enhanced swimmer's enjoyment.
This provides the swimmer with the greatest viewing clarity of the
underwater areas because the transparent viewing lens is placed in
very close proximity to the eyes of the viewer which minimizes
underwater sight distortion. Many of those who enjoy snorkeling
using a face mask, however, may easily become fatigued, even in
relaxed snorkeling without surface dives. Additionally, if the open
end of the snorkel becomes inadvertently submerged or waves or
splashes cause water to enter into the snorkel, the inexperienced
swimmer may ingest seawater with obvious unpleasant
consequences.
[0008] A number of prior art devices and apparatus have been
patented which are intended to facilitate supporting the body
weight of a swimmer in water while also providing an underwater
view without the aid of a snorkel or mask. The following prior U.S.
Patents disclose such devices: [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,139 to
Kelly [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,399 to Backhouse [0011] U.S. Pat.
No. 4,691,658 to New, et al. [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,329 to
Vaccaro [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,595 to Nealy [0014] U.S. Pat.
No. 4,895,539 to Bender [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,417 to Warren
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,459 to Hammond [0017] U.S. Pat. No.
5,685,753 to Canela, et al. [0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,569 to
Harkrider [0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,424 to Harkrider
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,329 to Vaccaro discloses an air mattress
with a recess for accommodating a person's head when lying on the
mattress in a prone position. Harkrider teaches a buoyant craft for
underwater observation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,569. Another
invention by Harkrider discloses a personal swim craft with an
underwater viewing area in U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,424. Canela, et al.
teaches a floating device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,753 and underwater
viewing devices are taught by Kelly in U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,139 and
Backhouse in U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,399.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,658 to New, et al. teaches a buoyant
board with a sight opening enabling underwater viewing and Nealy
teaches a viewing device for a float in U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,595.
Bender discloses an underwater viewing device (FIG. 6) in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,895,539 and an underwater viewing paddle board is shown by
Warren in U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,417.
[0022] However, with respect to all of the above prior art devices,
a transparent viewing pane is sealingly disposed across the lower
end of a viewing passageway or aperture. Because the transparent
viewing plane is placed at a considerable distance from the eyes of
the swimmer, distortion is likely as well as limiting the angle and
direction of viewing afforded by such prior art features.
[0023] Additional prior art devices are remotely related to the
present invention as follows: [0024] U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,276 to Han
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,055 to Hackett, et al. [0026] U.S. Pat.
No. 3,081,726 to Betts, et al. [0027] U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,756 to
Vaccaro
[0028] The present invention provides a relaxing body support for
the swimmer while wearing a snorkel and mask adding the ability for
enhanced underwater viewing by transverse hole through the buoyant
support mattress so that the user may place the face mask into the
viewing hole such that the viewing lens of the face mask is
positioned below the level of the water as it rises up into the
open lower end of the viewing hole while also causing the snorkel
to be maintained in an above-water position to avoid water
ingestion while being supported on the buoyant mattress.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] This invention is directed to a buoyant mattress device for
a snorkeler. An elongated buoyant mattress is provided for
buoyantly supporting the body weight of a snorkeler positioned
thereatop in a prone position. A viewing hole formed transversely
entirely through the mattress and entirely open therethrough is
adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of said mattress
for receiving a face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler while
the snorkeler is supported in water in the prone position atop the
mattress. The viewing hole is unobstructed to water entering
therein through the open lower end thereof which, in combination
with the thickness and buoyancy of the mattress places the viewing
lens of the face mask below the surface of the water within the
hole, providing the snorkeler with an unobstructed underwater view
through the face mask.
[0030] It is therefore an object of this invention to enhance the
versatility and underwater viewing pleasure experienced by a
snorkeler floating on the surface of water.
[0031] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
supportive mattress for a snorkeler which reduces fatigue for
extended periods of swimming while maintaining the underwater
viewing pleasure of wearing a face mask and breathing through a
snorkel.
[0032] Still another object of this invention is to provide a
buoyant mattress for buoyantly supporting a snorkeler in the prone
position thereatop and having an unobstructed viewing hole formed
transversely entirely therethrough into which the face mask may be
placed in underwater communication with the of water for enhanced
underwater viewing and breathing comfort through the snorkel.
[0033] In accordance with these and other objects which will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
invention floating on the surface of water and supporting a
snorkeler in the prone position shown in phantom.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of another inflatable embodiment
of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of FIG. 2.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a side elevation partially broken view of FIG. 2
showing the head, face masks and snorkel of a snorkeler in
phantom.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of a third embodiment of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] Referring now the drawings, one embodiment of the invention
is there shown generally at numeral 10 in FIG. 1 floating on the
surface of a body of water and supporting a snorkeler A (shown in
phantom) in the prone position atop the upper surface 18 of the
buoyant mattress 12. A viewing hole 14 is formed transversely
completely through the mattress 12 so that water may at least
partially freely enter upwardly from the lower end of the viewing
hole 14. The perimeter 16 of the viewing hole 14 is positioned
adjacent to one end of the mattress 12 and centered laterally
thereon in the preferred orientation.
[0040] The size of the opening 16 is sufficient to receive the
downwardly oriented face and head H of the snorkeler A, including
the face mask F and the lower mouthpiece end of the snorkel S.
Moreover, as seen in FIG. 4, the transparent viewing lens L of the
face mask F is thereby positioned in all embodiments below the
waterline W while the upper end of the snorkel S is maintained in
position sufficiently above the waterline W so as to reduce the
likelihood of water entering into the open upper end of the snorkel
causing the swimmer to ingest water.
[0041] Still referring to FIG. 1, the shape of the perimeter 14 of
this embodiment of the viewing hole 16 is generally rectangular to
permit the snorkeler A to move the head H laterally side to side
for enhanced underwater viewing. Note that the length of the
mattress 12 in this embodiment 10 is sufficient to support the
lower legs and extended feet so that propulsion is achieved
primarily by movement of arms and hands. However, the mattress 12
may be shortened substantially to allow a typical adult or child
snorkeler to also paddle the feet and legs with or without swim
fins being worn for further enhanced propulsion.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 4, another embodiment of the
invention is there shown generally at numeral 20. In this
embodiment 20, the mattress 22 is the inflatable type and is formed
of side-by-side elongated air chambers 28 formed by internal
partitions 30 and inflated through an air valve (not shown).
Flexible side handles 32 may be used for attaching other articles
thereto.
[0043] This embodiment of the mattress 22 also includes a viewing
hole 26 formed having a circular perimeter 24 entirely transversely
through the thickness of the mattress 22. Positioning of the
viewing hole 26 is adjacent one end of the mattress 22 and is
centered laterally for optimal positioning with respect to a face
mask F and a snorkel S worn by the snorkeler A. Again, as seen in
FIG. 4, the head H of the snorkeler A may be positioned fully
within the viewing opening 26 so that the lens L of the face mask F
is positioned below the waterline W while the upper end of the
snorkel S is positioned well above the waterline to avoid
inadvertent water ingestion into the open end of the snorkel.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the invention
is there shown generally at numeral 40 and formed of molded closed
cell foam material such as skinned polyurethane foam to achieve
body-supporting buoyancy. The mattress 42 is formed including a
viewing hole 46 formed entirely transversely through the mattress
42 as defined by viewing perimeter 44 which is, again, circular and
positioned adjacent one end of the mattress 42. The volume of foam
and the thickness thereof are determined such that the typical
child-sized or adult-sized snorkeler will be positioned with the
lens L of the face mask F beneath the surface of the water W for
enhanced underwater viewing, restfulness while being supported in
the prone position atop the device 40 and assuring comfort that
splashes or waves of water will not inadvertently enter into the
open upper end of the snorkel S which could possibly lead to water
ingestion by the snorkeler A.
[0045] While the instant invention has been shown and described
herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom
within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be
limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the
full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent
apparatus and articles.
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