US5224891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recreational insert for inner tube
Assignee: AQUATIC DIVERSIONS Inc A Corp OF
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Filing: 1991-11-12
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Granted: 1993-07-06
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Expires: 2011-11-12
Abstract
Abstract An insert for an inflatable, buoyant toroid has a bottom portion with one or more contoured, concave surfaces radially disposed about a circular base and one or more seating portions above the bottom portion. The center of gravity of the insert is on a vertical axis passing substantially through the center of the circular base whether the insert contains a passenger or not. A flotation device comprising the insert and an inflatable, buoyant toroid has positive stability in water. The center of gravity of the insert is adjusted by a ballasting apparatus. The insert is provided with a variety of comfort enhancing options. The insert includes fastening devices for fastening the insert to an inflatable buoyant toroid. An insert can be provided with a top portion including an access door for using the insert as an equipment storage device.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Stephens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:08
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C15/00; A47C15/004; A47C15/006; B; B63; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/50; B63B34/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An insert for an inflatable, buoyant toroid comprising: a bottom portion, the bottom portion including at least one contoured, concave surface radially disposed about a base, the contoured concave surface being adapted for engaging a portion of a surface of the buoyant toroid, the base being fittable within a center opening of the buoyant toroid; and seating means including a backrest, a seat, a legrest, a left side, and a right side, the seating means being disposed relative to the bottom portion such that at least a portion of the seat is disposed above the base, between the backrest and the legrest, and at least a portion of the backrest and the legrest overlies at least a portion of the contoured concave surface when the insert is in an upright position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An insert for an inflatable, buoyant toroid comprising: a bottom portion, the bottom portion including at least one contoured, concave surface radially disposed about a base, the contoured concave surface being adapted for engaging a portion of a surface of the buoyant toroid, the base being fittable within a center opening of the buoyant toroid; and seating means including a backrest, a seat, a legrest, a left side, and a right side, the seating means being disposed relative to the bottom portion such that at least a portion of the seat is disposed above the base, between the backrest and the legrest, and at least a portion of the backrest and the legrest overlies at least a portion of the contoured concave surface when the insert is in an upright position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An insert as in claim 1, wherein a center of gravity of the insert is located substantially on a vertical axis passing substantially through a center of the base when the insert is in an upright condition and when a passenger is seated in a normal manner in the seating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An insert as in claim 1, wherein the base is circular in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An insert as in claim 3, wherein the center of gravity of the insert is located on the vertical axis passing substantially through the center of the circular base when the seating means are empty.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An insert as in claim 3, further comprising a buoyant toroid having the insert positioned in the buoyant toroid thereby providing a flotation device having positive stability when floating in water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An insert as in claim 1, wherein the left side and the right side of the seating means comprise armrest means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An insert as in claim 1, further comprising ballasting means for adjusting the locations of a center of gravity and a center of buoyancy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
An insert as in claim 7, wherein the ballasting means includes a plurality of separate compartments disposed between the bottom portion and the seating means, the plurality of separate compartments each being provided with a filling and draining means for filling and draining the compartments with water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An insert as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastening means for fastening the insert to the buoyant toroid, the fastening means being radially disposed about the periphery of the insert.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An insert as in claim 1, further comprising a storage compartment disposed in a space between the backrest and the bottom portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
An insert as in claim 10, wherein the storage compartment is watertight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An insert as in claim 1, further comprising a holding means for holding a beverage container in an upright condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
An insert as in claim 1, further comprising an umbrella holder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An insert as in claim 1, further comprising gripping means for gripping the insert by hand.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
An insert as in claim 1, wherein the seating means provides seating for two persons.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An insert as in claim 15, wherein the seating means includes seating for two persons side by side facing in the same direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An insert as in claim 15, wherein a separating armrest means separates more than one seat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
An insert for an inflatable, buoyant toroid comprising: a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a hollow interior portion and an exterior side formed with at least one contoured, concave surface adapted for engaging a portion of a surface of the buoyant toroid, and a base about which the contoured, concave surface is radially disposed, the base being fittable within a center opening of the buoyant toroid; a top portion attached to the bottom portion and enclosing the hollow interior portion of the bottom portion; and door means formed in the top portion for providing access to the interior portion, the door means being movable between an opened position for allowing access to the interior portion and a closed position for preventing access to the interior portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
127 words
An insert for an inflatable, buoyant toroid comprising: a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a hollow interior portion and an exterior side formed with at least one contoured, concave surface adapted for engaging a portion of a surface of the buoyant toroid, and a base about which the contoured, concave surface is radially disposed, the base being fittable within a center opening of the buoyant toroid; a top portion attached to the bottom portion and enclosing the hollow interior portion of the bottom portion; and door means formed in the top portion for providing access to the interior portion, the door means being movable between an opened position for allowing access to the interior portion and a closed position for preventing access to the interior portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
An insert as in claim 18 further comprising a buoyant toroid having the insert positioned in the buoyant toroid thereby providing a flotation device having positive stability when floating in water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |