Invertible personal watercraft with viewing window

Abstract

An inflatable hand-held snorkeling float supports a see-through underwater viewing module having a top glass and a bottom glass joined by a collapsible sidewall. A pneumatic chamber surrounds the viewing module. The chamber has a top deck and a bottom deck symmetrically pitched about a central longitudinal axis to form a wedge-shape having an included angle between about 5° and 15°. The top and bottom glasses are also wedge-shaped symmetrically about the longitudinal axis. Handles extend from the sides of the chamber, and are generally centered along a central transverse axis. An optional accessory mount may be affixed to one of the decks adjacent the bow. The accessory mount can be configured with a pair of dedicated connection pads to hold a dive flag and a camera, or two cameras, etc. The configuration of the float provides flotation symmetry when roll-inverted but flotation asymmetry when pitch-inverted.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Design patent application No. 29 / 588,923 filed Dec. 23, 2016 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 461,468 filed Feb. 21, 2017, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference and relied upon.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to floating structures with underwater viewing devices, and more particularly to inflatable hand-held flotation craft having an integrated underwater viewing window.Description of Related Art[0003]Viewing the underwater world has been a challenge throughout time because the human eye is incapable of focused vision in water without a stable, non-glare airspace between the eye and the body of water. Unfortunately, merely positioning one's head near the water surface does not render a clear view of what lies beneath due to natural light reflection as well as water ripples or waves. As a result, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The present invention enables the snorkeling float to be employed in any one of at least three (and possibly even four) holding orientations depending on the buoyancy enhancement needs of the user and / or the preferred placement of accessories either above or below the waterline. Because top and bottom glasses are equally-angled away from one another relative to the central longitudinal axis, and furthermore because the top and bottom decks are also equally-angled away from one another relative to the central longitudinal axis, the snorkeling float can be used with or without a personal flotation device (PFD) or flotation enhancements (e.g., wetsuit), as well as in both fresh and salt water settings. When certain optional accessories are provided, the snorkeling float can be deployed in locations that require dive flags or other identity markers, and with enhanced convenience for videography applications. When not in use, the snorkeling float can be deflated for conveniently carried storage and travel.

Problems solved by technology

Viewing the underwater world has been a challenge throughout time because the human eye is incapable of focused vision in water without a stable, non-glare airspace between the eye and the body of water.

Unfortunately, merely positioning one's head near the water surface does not render a clear view of what lies beneath due to natural light reflection as well as water ripples or waves.

As a result, trying to observe the water underworld while floating at the water surface is not possible absent the use of goggles or a mask, or a specially-designed viewing screen.

Although goggles and snorkeling / scuba masks are now commonplace, each providing a stable, non-glare airspace so that a person can see clearly underwater, not everyone has access to such apparatus.

Even when goggles or masks are available to borrow or rent, the potential for disease transmission causes many people to reject the offer.

In addition to these equipment access issues, not all people have the ability to wear goggles or snorkeling / scuba masks.

Especially for larger-bodied users, the Jelly Fish™ was not conducive to fresh-water applications unless buoyancy was supplemented by a PFD, a wetsuit, or the like.

The Jelly Fish™ had one handle, on the top bow / fore that was not well-suited for one-handed use in water due to the tendency to cause tipping under pressure.

Practically speaking, it is difficult to hold a video camera while recording video during many outdoor adventure type sporting activities.

However, video-recording remains somewhat difficult to implement in certain water sports, such as flotation-based snorkeling.

Recording video and images while floating has been difficult for a user because of the constant movement and also because practically every surface of an inflatable craft is flexible and yields under the load (mass) of a video camera.

Furthermore, when a person is involved in flotation-based snorkeling they may need to steer themselves with a swimming hand motion at times, which could make holding a video camera awkward or limiting.

For example, identity documents and paper money can be damaged by water.

Car keys and room keys and credit cards can be easily lost while rafting and snorkeling.

However, there is not always a convenient method to secure a dry box to an inflatable craft.

And when a method of securing the dry box is available, rarely is the dry box in a convenient and easily accessed location for the user.

Placing a dry box or video camera in the pocket of a bathing suit is naturally cumbersome and uncomfortable.

Finding a suitable location and method to attach a dive flag to an inflatable raft may be difficult.

A related issue involves the use of signaling flags on inflatable crafts that are deployed in groups, such as from water-sport outfitters, cruise ships tour operators, and coastal resorts to name but a few.

However, finding a suitable location and method to attach a flag to an inflatable craft has proven difficult.

And still another related issue involves advertising opportunities for businesses that cater to the clientele of water-sport outfitters, cruise ships, coastal resorts and the like.

There is, unfortunately, not a convenient way to use flags and other aerial features in connection with these marking and advertising ambitions within the flotation snorkeling industry.

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