Submersible floatation structure
AssigneeStarmax, Inc.
InventorCharles F. Hoy, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A submersible floatation structure is formed of lengths of tubing which are interconnected by fittings. In one embodiment, the tubing end fittings are formed of a polymeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride. The tubing lengths and fittings are interconnected to form a selectable configuration, which, in some embodiments, may be in the form of a reclining chair, a raft, a buoy, or a life preserver ring. Valves are provided for allowing water to enter the structure and thereby provide a ballast which serves selectably to submerge the structure, or render the structure for use on land.
Claims21
A buoyant chair having adjustable buoyancy such that the chair can selectably float on the surface of the water having a person therein, or support the person in a partially or completely submerged position, the chair comprising:
- chair frame means formed of a plurality of hollow elongated polyvinyl chloride members joined in substantially airtight connection by a plurality of hollow angular polyvinyl chloride members to form a hollow structural framework, which can support the person in a seated position when placed on a solid surface said framework including back and seat sections for supporting the back and seat of the person;
- buoyancy adjusting means for controllably adjusting the buoyancy of said chair, said buoyancy adjusting means consists of value means to allow the inflow of water into said hollow framework, and the outflow of air therefrom such that the buoyancy of said chair is decreased, and also to allow the inflow of air into said hollow framework, and the outflow of water therefrom such that said buoyancy is increased;
- and
- flexible person support means connected to said back and seat sections to support said person in said chair, said person support means being fastened to and extending between selected ones of said members of said chair frame means.
A submersible floating chair for supporting at least one person in a substantially seated position, said submersible floating chair comprising:
- back support means for supporting the back portion of the person occupying the submersible floating chair, said back support means having at least one length of rigid tubing having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration, said tubing being formed of a synthetic polymeric material;
- seat support means for supporting the seat portion of the person occupying the submersible floating chair, said seat support means having at least one length of rigid tubing having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration, said tubing being formed of said synthetic polymeric material;
- coupling means for coupling said back support means and seat support means to one another to form a rigid submersible floating chair frame having at least one air tight chamber formed within said rigid tubing;
- and
- valve means for providing fluid communication with said air tight chamber for controllably adjusting the buoyancy of the submersible floating chair by introducing water therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.