U.S. patent number 3,769,929 [Application Number 05/300,894] was granted by the patent office on 1973-11-06 for recreational device.
Invention is credited to George D. Scheber.
United States Patent |
3,769,929 |
Scheber |
November 6, 1973 |
RECREATIONAL DEVICE
Abstract
A spherical cage device for aquatic or land use comprising two
independent, inflatable semi-spherical, foraminous sections which
have interlocking elements automatically disengageable upon
deflation of either section. Each section has a hollow
person-accommodating interior and each section is self-sustaining
and can be manually attached or detached with respect to the other
section.
Inventors: |
Scheber; George D. (Orland
Park, IL) |
Family
ID: |
23161045 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/300,894 |
Filed: |
October 26, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/128; 114/346;
428/11; D9/519; 280/206; 472/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
19/02 (20130101); A63B 2225/60 (20130101); A63B
2225/62 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
19/00 (20060101); A63B 19/02 (20060101); B60f
003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;9/311,31R,1A ;115/20,1R
;280/206,205 ;272/1B |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Buchler; Milton
Assistant Examiner: Sauberer; Paul E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A combination aquatic and land amusement device comprising a
pair of opposing hollow sections providing an enclosure for a user,
each section being inflatable, and securing means interconnecting
said sections, and means for automatically releasing said securing
means in response to deflation of either section.
2. The invention according to claim 1 and said securing means
comprising projections and complementary receivers on respective
sections, the projections and receivers being inflatable with the
respective section.
3. The invention according to claim 1 and said sections having a
plurality of independent inflated compartments.
4. The invention according to claim 1 and said sections each
comprising inflatable interthreaded portions forming said securing
means.
5. The invention according to claim 1 and each section having a
series of ports extending from the interior to the exterior
thereof.
6. The invention according to claim 5 and each of said sections
formed of inner and outer shells, and said shells having portions
offset toward each other and joined about said ports and defining
wide angle vision windows from the interior to the exterior of the
device.
7. The invention according to claim 1 and said securing means
disposed at the areas of juncture of said sections.
8. The invention according to claim 7 and said securing means
comprising a male thread portion on one section and a female thread
portion on the other section.
9. The invention according to claim 8 and each section having a
plurality of ports therethrough for ventilation and observation of
the user.
10. The invention according to claim 8 and each section comprising
a hemisphere and each having means for floatingly supporting the
section.
Description
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
Devices of similar nature comprise one-piece spheres into which the
user is admitted and supported by straps and the like. Deflation of
the sphere poses serious safety problems, particularly if such
should occur when the user is operating the device in water. Inner
and outer spheres are also used. These require alignment of the
ingress and exit ports and trap the user within the deflated sphere
so that he cannot readily disengage himself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to safe and versatile sporting equipment
primarily useful as an acquatic recreation and exercise device, but
which may be readily converted to land use.
A more specific object is to devise a novel cage of two sections,
each of which is independently usable or which may be joined into a
unitary sphere.
A further object is to provide a novel spherical cage comprising
two complemental sections having means for interlocking the
sections to form a globe, said sections having means for
interlocking with each other and being automatically separable upon
deflation of either section.
The invention contemplates the provision of a pair of sections,
each in the form of a multiple chambered bladder so that even if
the bladder is punctured it will continue to float, thereby
providing flotation protection for the user and preventing the loss
of the damaged bladder which normally would sink.
The invention also comprehends a device whereby the user may be
supported on water and thus protected from drowning by being
entangled within the device and which incorporates a series of
ports of a size to prevent the user's limbs from protruding from
the interior, the ports also providing ventilation to the interior
and viewing apertures for the user.
These and other objects and advantages inherent in and encompassed
by the invention will become more apparent from the specifications
and the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevation view of the device shown
partially broken away and in section;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the device also partly broken away and in
section;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line
4--4 of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the device on a small scale,
the parts being shown spread apart.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Having reference to the drawings there is shown an inflatable ball
or sphere generally designated 2 which comprises upper and lower
hemispherical sections 4 and 6. Each section comprises inner and
outer shells 8 and 10, each of which is preferably either of fabric
impregnated with natural or synthetic rubber. The fabric may also
be of natural fiber such as cotton and the like or synthetic fiber
such as nylon, dacron, etc. A series of preferably equally spaced
ports or apertures 12,12 are provided through the sections, and in
the region of each port the shells are crimped to form offsets 16
and 18 which are brought into contact with each other and
preferably cemented on their interfaces at 20. This structure not
only provides a strong construction, but also the outwardly
converging conical inner offset 16 affords a wide angle of vision
which also is afforded by the inwardly converging contiguous
conical offset 18. The depth of the aperture 12 is only the
thickness of the inner and outer shells. In addition, a series of
air pockets 22 are developed between the apertures which not only
serve to provide buoyancy but also cushioning pads. The pockets 22
form a major air chamber which may be filled through a customary
valve 23.
Each section has a separate segment 25 which provides a minor air
chamber. This is formed by the inner and outer shells 8 and 10
which are circularly crimped at 26 and sealed thereat to form a
minor air chamber 28 which is filled by a separate valve 30. Thus,
even if the main air chamber should become deflated, the section
would nevertheless float.
The two sections are provided with interlocking means herein shown
as an inflatable male thread 32 projecting from one section
recessed inwardly from the periphery 34 and the other section has
internal inflatable female threads 36 which are adapted to be
threaded together to join the sections with the user within the
chamber 38 which is developed by the hollow interiors of the
sections.
In use, if one of the sections should be punctured the thread
thereon will collapse and the sections will separate. It will be
understood that other forms of collapsible, inflatable locking
devices are contemplated such as irregularly shaped projections on
each section which fit into complemental apertures so that when
such projections collapse they separate.
Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will
be understood that various forms will become apparent which will
come within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *