US3751030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aquatic apparatus with buoyancy control structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-13
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1992-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A floatable-submersible aquatic apparatus including a substantially hollow shell exteriorly configured in the shape of an aquatic animal. The shell is provided with fore and aft ports to permit the free ingress and egress of water through the shell. The interior of the shell is provided with first and second buoyancy control members which are attached longitudinally along first and second lateral surfaces of the shell. Each control member includes a chamber which may be selectively filled with air through a valve. Inside of each chamber is positioned a block of floatable polystyrene material to maintain minimum buoyancy of the apparatus. The aquatic apparatus may also include a snorkel operably connectable through an upper and lower portion thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 M Winters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:57
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/50; B63B34/52; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus comprising: a substantially hollow shell exteriorly formed in the configuration of an aquatic animal, said shell having ports in the fore and aft portions thereof for the free ingress and egress of water through said shell; a first buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a first lateral interior surface of said shell, said first buoyancy control member including, flexible impervious wall means, a filling tube extending into said wall means, and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said first buoyancy control member being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus; and a second buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a second lateral interior surface of said shell, said second buoyancy control member including, flexible impervious wall means, a filling tube extending into said wall means, and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said second buoyancy control member being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus; and said first lateral surface being spaced from and generally opposite to said second lateral surface within the interior of said shell whereby the flexible impervious wall means of the first and second buoyancy control members may be inflated to block the free flow of water through the shell so that water may enter the aft port and push against the first and second buoyancy control members to facilitate surfing capability of the aquatic apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus comprising: a substantially hollow shell exteriorly formed in the configuration of an aquatic animal, said shell having ports in the fore and aft portions thereof for the free ingress and egress of water through said shell; a first buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a first lateral interior surface of said shell, said first buoyancy control member including, flexible impervious wall means, a filling tube extending into said wall means, and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said first buoyancy control member being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus; and a second buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a second lateral interior surface of said shell, said second buoyancy control member including, flexible impervious wall means, a filling tube extending into said wall means, and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said second buoyancy control member being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus; and said first lateral surface being spaced from and generally opposite to said second lateral surface within the interior of said shell whereby the flexible impervious wall means of the first and second buoyancy control members may be inflated to block the free flow of water through the shell so that water may enter the aft port and push against the first and second buoyancy control members to facilitate surfing capability of the aquatic apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second buoyancy control members each further comprise: a generally elongated bar composed of a material haviNg a specific gravity of less than 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
145 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus comprising: a substantially hollow shell exteriorly formed in the configuration of an aquatic animal, said shell having ports in the fore and aft portions thereof for the free ingress and egress of water through said shell; a first buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a first lateral interior surface of said shell; a second buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a second lateral interior surface of said shell, said first lateral surface being spaced from and generally opposite to said second lateral surface within the interior of said shell; and said first and second buoyancy control members each comprising, a generally elongated bar composed of a material having a specific gravity less than 1, and a fluid chamber connected to and coextensive with said generally elongated bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus comprising: a substantially hollow shell exteriorly formed in the configuration of an aquatic animal, said shell having ports in the fore and aft portions thereof for the free ingress and egress of water through said shell; a first buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a first lateral interior surface of said shell; a second buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a second lateral interior surface of said shell, said first lateral surface being spaced from and generally opposite to said second lateral surface within the interior of said shell; and said first and second buoyancy control members each comprising, a generally elongated bar composed of a material having a specific gravity less than 1, and a fluid chamber connected to and coextensive with said generally elongated bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said shell is composed of: a self-supporting rigid plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said rigid plastic shell is exteriorly configued in the shape of: a dolphin, having an integral tail portion including laterally extending flukes positioned at the aft end of said shell operable to support a rider in a sitting posture,and a pair of integral flippers, one flipper generally extending normally from a first lateral exterior surface of said shell, and one flipper extending generally normally from a second lateral exterior surface of said shell, said flippers being operable as hand holds for a rider.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 5 and further comprising: a removable dorsal fin, said fin comprising, an upstanding fin portion, and a base portion, said base portion having a generally normally extending protrusion operable to detachably engage with a recess in an upper aft portion of said shell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A submersible aquatic apparatis as defined in claim 4 wherein said shell is fashioned with: an upper and lower port positioned in general vertical alignment, and a generally flexible snorkel operably positioned through the upper and lower ports and detachably connected to said shell and having a mouth piece connected to said snorkel in a posture operably beneath said shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said bar is composed of: a cellular polystyrene material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid chambers are formed having: flexible impervious walls; a filling tube extending into said fluid chamber; and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said fluid chamber being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus or water to decrease the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid chambers are formed having: rigid impervious walls; a filling tube extending into said fluid chamber; and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said fluid chamber being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus or water to decrease the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |