BUOYANT AQUATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE WITH REINFORCING COVER

• US 3,677,539 A
• Filed: 08/05/1970
• Issued: 07/18/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maureen Constance Bennet
• Original Assignee: Maureen Constance Bennet
• Inventors: Bennet, Maureen Constance
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stouffer, R. T.
• Application Number:
  US05/061,083
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 272/1B 273/58BA,58C,58D 9/8R,2A,11A
• US Class Current: 472/129
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2009/004 Three-dimensional rope or cable networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/605 Floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/02 Bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/007 played in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/04 Climbing-ropes
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/52 Inflatable or partly inflatable

Abstract

A spherical, inflated elastic body enclosed in an inelastic cover. The body has ropes dangling downwardly from its top and also has a network of cords disposed on the exterior surface of the cover. The cord network provides finger holds and toe holds which, along with the dangling ropes, assist a person in climbing out of the water onto the top of the body. The bottom of the body is connected to a mooring line which is secured through a tension spring to an anchor block.

Claims

1. An amusement, recreational and therapeutic device comprising:

a. a spheroidal, soft and pliable buoyant body of a diameter greater than the height of an average person;

b. a covering on said body having enlargements spaced apart from one another providing projections from said body extending outwardly therefrom sufficiently to be gripped by one'"'"''"'"'s fingers and toes to assist one in scaling the outer surface of said body when floating;

c. a mooring line attached to said covered body for anchoring the same in a swimming area; and

d. a spring in said mooring line permitting extension and retraction of the same such that when said buoyant body is moored at a selected site there is increased dynamic reaction from participants attempting to climb up and over the outer surface of said body.

2. An aquatic amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said spheroidal, soft and pliable buoyant body comprises an elastic air-filled bladder enclosed by said covering, said covering being of essentially non-elastic fabric having a net of cord reinforcements attached thereto and providing said projections extending outwardly from said body sufficiently to be gripped by one'"'"''"'"'s fingers and toes.