US 6,293,841 B1 · Foldable under water viewing window

Abstract

A floating window for viewing underwater life, which has an unfolded viewing configuration and a folded storage configuration for transport and/or storage. Floating end walls are attached to a central viewing window and have sufficient buoyancy to prevent the device from sinking beneath the surface. The central window is secured on either end to a floating end wall. The central window is flexible and curve upward on the edges extending between the floating end walls such that a cavity is formed with a central viewing area. The central window is attached to the floating end walls such that the central viewing area is held below the surface of the water and the edges of the central window extend above the surface of the water to prevent water from spilling onto the top surface of the central viewing area. The central window is secured to slots on the inside surface of each floating end wall by a pressure fit. In the storage configuration, the floating end walls are removed from the central window, placed adjacent one another, and secured together by wrapping the flexible central window around the floating end walls and securing it with an elastic strap.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A foldable underwater viewing window, comprising:

a central viewing window;
at least one floating outer wall;
the central viewing window secured to the floating outer wall such that a water tight seal is made between the central viewing window and the floating outer wall;
and
the central viewing window further having a transparent central viewing area that extends below the surface of water such that light refraction from the surface of the water is eliminated;
whereby the aquatic environment underneath the surface of the water can be clearly viewed without interference from light refraction on the surface of the water.

3 more elements

A method of viewing underwater environments with a floating surface window, including the steps of:

attaching a central viewing window to at least one floating outer wall;
securing the central viewing window to the floating outer wall such that a water tight seal is made between the central viewing window and the floating outer wall;
positioning the central viewing window below the surface of water such that light refraction from the surface of the water is eliminated;
and
using a flexible transparent panel for the central viewing window;
whereby the aquatic environment underneath the surface of the water can be clearly viewed without interference from light refraction on the surface of the water.

3 more elements

A method of viewing underwater environments with a floating surface window, including the steps of:

using two floating end walls;
attaching a central viewing window to the two floating end walls such that the two floating end walls are attached to opposing sides of the central viewing window;
securing the central viewing window to the floating end walls such that a water tight seal is made between the central viewing window and the floating end walls;
and
positioning the central viewing window below the surface of water such that light refraction from the surface of the water is eliminated;
whereby the aquatic environment underneath the surface of the water can be clearly viewed without interference from light refraction on the surface of the water.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Foldable under water viewing window

Life of this patent

Foldable under water viewing window

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19