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US 5,964,628 AGranted
Collapsible personal flotation devices
OwnerRobert E. Scanlon, Timothy M. Scanloninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention describes a stable floating environment for an individual or cargo while at rest or under tow. The device, when occupied by an individual, allows the user to recline, lay prone or sit up right in any body of water. An important feature of the device is that it should possess a center of buoyancy above the center of mass of the occupant or cargo.
Claims10
A flotation device comprising:
- a) a multitude of buoyant panels;
- b) a means of connecting said panels into a panel array;
- wherein said means of connecting comprise a hinge assembly said hinge assembly comprises two web loops each passing through adjacent bouyant panels conjoined by a flattened or round ring disposed between said panels;
- and
- wherein said panel array forms a cavity supporting an occupant disposed therein, wherein the center of mass of said occupant disposed in said cavity is below the center of buoyancy of said panel array.
2 more elements
A dry double-ended collapsible dinghy comprising:
- a) a multitude of buoyant panels;
- b) a means of connecting said panels into a panel array said means comprising a hinge assembly which comprises two web loops each passing through adjacent buoyant panels conjoined by a flattened or round ring disposed between said panels;
- and
- c) an external skin having the same outline as the panel array, said external skin having a triangular section keel attached to said panel array;
- wherein said panel array forms a symmetric cavity supporting an occupant disposed therein, wherein the center of mass of said occupant disposed in said cavity is below the center of buoyancy of said panel array.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.