Inflatable cruising device
An inflatable cruising device comprising an inflatable body having an axial channel defined therethrough adapted to operatively engage a steering and propelling system capable of allowing a user to propel and steer the inflatable body in an aquatic setting.
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This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/543,754, filed Feb. 11, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an inflatable cruising device capable of being steered and propelled by a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONInflatable devices for recreational use in water are well known in the art. Typically, prior art inflatable devices comprise a hollow inflatable body configured to have different shapes, such as animals, rafts and the like. A user normally inflates the inflatable device and may use it as a floatation apparatus while swimming in a pool. However, such inflatable devices lack any type of means for propelling and steering the inflatable device around the pool area in order to enhance the experience of the user.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an inflatable water cruising device comprising an inflatable body adapted to operatively engage a steering and propelling system to allow a user to propel and steer the inflatable body along a body of water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an inflatable cruising device comprising an inflatable body having a channel defined therethrough and a steering and a propelling system operatively engageable with the inflatable body through the channel, wherein the steering and the propelling system permits the inflatable body to be steered and propelled by the user.
According to one aspect, the present invention comprises an inflatable cruising device having an inflatable body having an axial channel and a steering and propelling system adapted to operatively engage the inflatable body through the axial channel. The steering and propelling system includes a motor arrangement operatively engaged with a propeller for driving the inflatable body and further including a steering member operatively engaged to the motor arrangement for steering the inflatable body, wherein the steering and propelling system permit the inflatable body to be steered and propelled by a user.
According to another aspect, the present invention comprises a method of assembling an inflatable water cruising device by providing an inflatable body defining an axial channel, and a steering and propelling system comprising a steering member and a motor arrangement; inserting a bushing through the axial channel; inserting a portion of the motor arrangement through the inserted bushing; and mounting the steering member to the portion of the motor arrangement in order to operatively engage the steering member with the motor arrangement.
According to yet another aspect, the present invention comprises an inflatable body having a channel defined therethrough with the inflatable body having an upper portion and a lower portion. A steering and propelling system including a motor arrangement adapted to operatively engage with a steering member under the lower portion of the inflatable body, wherein the steering and propelling system permits the inflatable body to be steered and propelled by a user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the inflatable cruising device according to the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in
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As further shown, inflatable body 112 has a steering and propelling system 114 extending from the lower portion 126 of the inflatable body 112. The steering and propelling system 114 is disposed inside a channel 130 axially defined through inflatable body 112 having a top opening 160 in communication with a bottom opening 162. In addition, the steering and propelling system 114 comprises a steering member 116 operatively engaged to a motor arrangement 118. Further, the steering and propelling system 114 comprises a steering extension 138 engaged to an arm 166 extending from bottom opening 162 of the axial channel 130. In addition, the steering member 116 includes opposed handles 144 that permit the user to steer and propel the inflatable body 112. Referring to
In assembly, bushing 120 is inserted into the top opening 160 through channel 130. The arm 166 is then inserted through the bushing 120 such that the arm 166 can be secured with a cap 164 which engages a flange 142 of bushing 120. This structural arrangement of operatively engaging the steering and propelling system 114 to the inflatable body 112 through channel 130 allows the user to propel and steer the inflatable cruising device 110 along a body of water in a controlled manner by reaching underneath the inflatable body 112 and grasping handles 144. One of the handles 144 includes a switch (not shown) that permits the user to activate the motor 128 to propel the inflatable body 112 or deactivate the motor 128 to terminate operation.
Preferably, all embodiments of the inflatable cruising device are adapted for use by children under the supervision of an adult usually in a pool or similar setting. The inflatable body is made from a durable flexible plastic material that permits the inflatable cruising device 10 to be configured in any shape or size suitable for the user to engage in a riding fashion, such as various types and styles of recreational water cruising devices commonly used by adults at a lake or ocean setting.
Preferably, the inflatable body can be shaped to accommodate a seated user, e.g., saddle-shaped, resembling a jet ski. Alternatively, the inflatable body 12 can be shaped to accommodate a prone user, resembling a boogie board, wherein the user's head is located along the anterior portion 11 of the inflatable body 12 while the user's feet are located along the posterior portion 13 thereof.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the inflatable body may be decorated by embossing, painting, or laminating to provide colorful designs and shapes. According to another aspect, a swivel squirt gun may be attached to the upper portion of the inflatable body to allow the user to squirt water. In addition, the inflatable body can be made in animal shapes or in military shapes such as tankers or military aircraft. Other decorative embodiments are also felt to fall within the scope of this invention.
It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. An inflatable cruising device comprising:
- an inflatable body having a channel defined therethrough; and
- a steering and a propelling system operatively engageable with the inflatable body through said channel;
- wherein said steering and propelling system permits said inflatable body to be steered and propelled by a user.
2. The inflatable cruising device of claim 1, wherein said steering and propelling system includes a steering member operatively engaged to a motor arrangement.
3. The inflatable cruising device of claim 2, wherein said steering member comprises opposing handles for steering said inflatable body.
4. The inflatable cruising device of claim 1, wherein said motor arrangement is selected from the group consisting of a motor-driven propeller, a pump, or a displacement pump.
5. The inflatable cruising device of claim 4, wherein said channel is axially defined through said inflatable body.
6. The inflatable cruising device of claim 2, wherein said steering member operates said motor arrangement.
7. The inflatable cruising device of claim 1, wherein said steering and propelling system includes a portable battery source.
8. The inflatable cruising device of claim 2, wherein said motor arrangement is operatively engaged to a propeller.
9. An inflatable cruising device comprising:
- an inflatable body having an axial channel defined therethrough; and
- a steering and propelling system adapted to operatively engage said inflatable body through said axial channel, said steering and propelling system including a motor arrangement operatively engaged with a propeller for driving said inflatable body, said steering and motor system further including a steering member operatively engaged to said motor arrangement for steering said inflatable body, wherein said steering and propelling system permits said inflatable body to be steered and propelled by a user.
10. The inflatable cruising device of claim 9, wherein said motor arrangement is in operative association with a portable battery source.
11. The inflatable cruising device of claim 10, wherein said portable battery source is rechargeable.
12. The inflatable cruising device of claim 9, wherein said inflatable body had a shape that can accommodate a seated user.
13. The inflatable cruising device of claim 9, wherein said inflatable body has a shape that can accommodate a prone user.
14. The inflatable cruising device of claim 9, wherein said inflatable body has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said steering member extends from the upper portion and said motor arrangement extends from the lower portion.
15. The inflatable cruising device of claim 9, wherein said inflatable body has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the steering member and the motor arrangement extend from the lower portion.
16. A method of assembling an inflatable cruising device comprising:
- a) providing an inflatable body defining an axial channel and a steering and propelling system comprising a steering member and a motor arrangement;
- b) inserting a bushing through said axial channel;
- c) inserting a portion of said motor arrangement through the inserted bushing; and
- d) mounting said steering member to said portion of said motor arrangement in order to operatively engage the steering member with said motor arrangement.
17. The method of assembling an inflatable cruising device of claim 16, wherein said steering and propelling system has a portable battery source.
18. The method of assembling an inflatable cruising device of claim 17, wherein said portable battery source is rechargeable.
19. An inflatable cruising device comprising:
- an inflatable body having a channel defined therethrough, said inflatable body having an upper portion and a lower portion; and
- a steering and propelling system adapted to operatively engage said inflatable body through said channel of said inflatable body, said steering and propelling system including a motor arrangement operatively engaged with a steering member under said lower portion of said inflatable body;
- wherein said steering and propelling system permits said inflatable body to be steered and propelled by a user.
20. A method of assembling an inflatable cruising device comprising:
- a) providing an inflatable body having a lower portion and upper portion with an axial channel defined therethrough and a steering and propelling system including a steering member and a motor arrangement;
- b) inserting a bushing through said axial channel;
- c) inserting an arm with a cap through said bushing; and
- d) engaging said steering member with said inserted arm such that said steering member is operatively engaged with said motor arrangement under said lower portion of said inflatable body, wherein said cap on said arm secures the steering and propelling system.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 3, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 11, 2005
Applicant:
Inventor: Edmond Yung (Kowloon)
Application Number: 10/933,574