FLOTATION/HYDRATION DEVICE
A recreational and/or lifesaving device comprising a floating foam hull comprising cavities a which securely retain stores of bottled water easily for consumption over time, preventing dehydration of a person adrift. In another embodiment, the hull comprises at least one cut-out, which can be used by a wading fisherman to humanely store catch items alive.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/187,525, filed Jun. 16, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFishing, boating and swimming and other water recreation has increased in popularity in the past few years, particularly because of the availability of local waterways, bays and ocean access. Particularly attractive are salt and brackish water areas which are proximal to or part of oceanic waters. Many feel that the “sporting” element is heightened by the opportunity to land aggressive fishes which are high in the food chain. The ocean, whether near shore or out on the open water, entails risks which are not part of freshwater recreation. These risks add to the excitement, as well as the danger. For instance, many don't realize that even though one is surrounded by water, many deaths at sea are caused by dehydration. The salt content of ocean water exceeds the salt concentrations in human tissue. This, dehydration can begin to occur within hours of being set adrift on the open ocean. The onset of dehydration can be accompanied by fatigue and confusion, both of which decrease the chances of survival of one who is adrift.
While floatation devices, such as life jackets or life boats have been in use for much of history, the most important factor in survival of long periods adrift is the availability of fresh water. However, accidents which result in humans adrift in the ocean generally do not have the benefit of such foresight. Furthermore, while bottling water can keep it free from salt contamination, bottled water, because it's density is only slightly less than that of sea water, does not float high on the surface of the water. Any bottled water which happens to be cast adrift is not highly visible, and can be quickly scattered. The storage of bottled water supplies on boats is practiced, yet a boating accident can quickly make the bottled water unavailable at the moment it is most needed.
Other water recreational activities are becoming popular, particularly those which do not require the use of boats. For example “waders” have exploited shallow waters such as tidal areas, streams, and other vital areas to catch fish, crabs and other water life which frequents shallow water. Waders frequently carry a water-filled pail or a bag on their person which is used to retain and carry their catch. They must also transport a rod and reel, and any other items, such as bait, tackle, auxiliary equipment such as an extra rod, for example, and any food or drinking liquids. It is not unusual for a wader to go through the inconvenience of emptying a full pail into a cooler or ice chest onshore and return to the shallows to continue fishing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to flotation devices which, in some embodiments, can function in a lifesaving capacity, and in additional embodiments, can fulfill auxiliary but essential capacities such as aiding recreational and professional fishermen, crabbers, particularly waders, and other harvesters of seafood or other marine products The invention comprises a floatable hull. In the lifesaving or emergency capacity, the floatable hull comprises cavities in which containers, preferably bottles, of sustaining liquids, and/or waterproof food stuffs, emergency flares, and the like are tightly but removably held, in proximity to a water bound individual such as a person adrift, a snorkel diver, or other. In some embodiments, once the hull has been wetted, such as in an accident involving a boat overturning, the cavity sockets contract around the containers, holding them together and preventing them from scattering and sinking. In the recreational capacity, the hull comprises a netted containing system for keeping catch alive and fresh.
The details of the invention, both as to its structure and operation, may be obtained by a review of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
In one embodiment, the hull is comprised of a synthetic foam such as polyurethane foams polyethylene foams or other synthetic foams. In one embodiment, the hull comprises a foam in the class known as cross-linked polyethylene foams, such as chemically-cross-linked polyethylene foams. Some other preferred hull materials are polyurethane compositions comprising in the range of from about 90 to 99 wt % synthetic urethane polymer (CAS 59676-67-1), and in the range of from about 1 to 10 wt % Diphenylmethane diisocyanate. A preferred composition comprises in the range of from about 94 to 96 wt % synthetic urethane polymer and 4 to 6 wt % Diphenylmethane diisocyanate. However, other synthetic materials can be used as long as they are buoyant and float at or above the water surface when bearing their intended load.
One advantage of the present invention is that some of the preferred materials, for example, synthetic urethane polymer containing Diphenylmethane diisocyanate, swell to a degree in salt and fresh water, during at least the initial hour of so of exposure, such that the cavities retain their contents with increasing tightness.
In a preferred embodiment, the foam hull is encased on the bottom and sides in a material, such as an epoxy, which, in some embodiments, acts to partially or fully constrain the water-induced expansion of the hull. In such embodiments, the narrowing of the cavities caused by the swelling of the hull can be exacerbated. In one embodiment, the coating has tabs which can be pulled such that the coating separates from the hull, which can facilitate extraction of bottles from the hull. In a preferred embodiment, the coating is a color which can be seen from a distance, such as, for example, hunter's orange, or international orange. In some embodiments, the coating is fluorescent or phosphorescent.
In different embodiments, the coating material covers the entire hull except for the openings to the cavities; the coating covers the top surface only to the extent that it stops at the edges of a figure defined by the containers, shown in
In one preferred embodiment, the hull is fashioned of a polyurethane composition and is a parallelepiped in shape, having square upper and lower surfaces, with all vertices being right angles. Preferably, the upper square surface has cavities which can grippingly receive the bases of standard 8 ounce bottles of liquid. In one embodiment, the cavities are circular cylinders having diameters of approximately 2 and ⅜ inches, arranged in a regular square grid, and the thickness of the hull is in the range of from about 5 to about 2 inches, and in a preferred embodiment, about 3 inches. The cylindrical cavities have depths in the range of from about 2 to about 4 inches. With at least 0.25 inches of material at the bottom of the cavity to adequately support the bottled liquid. A preferred depth is 2.5 inches, shown in
In general, regardless of the size receptacles to be inserted into the hull, it is preferred that the cavities or holes are sized such that they grippingly receive the bases of the receptacles. In a preferred embodiment, the cavities in the hull have a dry diameter of about 2 and ⅜ inches, and the hull grippingly receives at least one type of standard eight ounce bottle.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a tether which is attached to the hull. The tether can be of any strong cord, such as natural or synthetic multi-ply or woven cords. It is preferably a light color, and in some embodiments, is fluorescent or phosphorescent. It can be attached by means known in the art which withstand marine or freshwater conditions, at least for a length of time which coincides with human survivability adrift, and preferably indefinitely.
The present invention has the ability to secure a water or other hydration supply in the event a boater or other water passenger becomes adrift at sea. It can float upright indefinitely (
In another embodiment the invention comprises a hull which is suitable for towing by waders or others who harvest sea life in relatively shallow water. Referring to
Referring to an exemplary embodiment of the recreational hull,
The hull preferably has a forward portion which has a symmetric angular bow. For example, an angularly bowed front as in
As with the lifesaving embodiment elucidated above, the present embodiment can also port bottled water or other fluids to prevent dehydration. As with the lifesaving embodiment, in a preferred embodiment, the bases of the water bottles are installed into cavities, (80) which are illustrated in
In a further embodiment, the hull is partially or fully coated or enrobed in epoxy or other material which can partially or fully constrain the swelling of the hull material. In a further embodiment, the hull is selectively coated such that the swelling is maximized at the uncoated surfaces, such as, for example, the inner walls of the sockets which contact the bottled water or other liquid. It has been found that in both the lifesaving and wade fishing embodiments of the present invention, selectively applying a coating which dries to form a rigid layer, such as epoxy, increases the ability of the sockets to retain its contents. Thus, the hull can overturn and the contents of the sockets will remain consolidated in their sockets, available for use at will.
In preferred embodiments, the front, bowed edge of the hull is beveled underward at an angle in the range of from about 85 degrees to about 60 degrees (90). Preferred is an angle in the range of from about 80 degrees to about 70 degrees. An angle of 76 degrees is illustrated.
In a preferred embodiment, the wade fishing embodiment or the life-saving embodiment comprises a series of holes (100) around the perimeter of the hull, located in its upper surface, and penetrating through to its lower surface. A lightweight synthetic or natural line or rope can be strung through the holes around the perimeter of the hull. For example, the pattern of holes in
In other embodiments, the hull is sturdy enough to mount rod holders (120), such as the kind available from White cap industries in New Jersey.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, specific embodiments have been described. It should nevertheless be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive in character, and that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described components, elements, processes, or devices, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Claims
1. A flotation device comprising:
- a hull of a foam material comprising: polyurethane or polyethylene, said hull having a length in the range of from about 12 to about 60 inches, a width in the range of from about 12 to about 60 inches, an average thickness in the range of from about 2 to about 6 inches, and a circular, oval or polygonal cutout having a widest dimension in the range of from about 8 to about 20 inches; said hull comprising a bowed front;
- a netted enclosure extending through the cutout from the upper surface to the lower surface;
- a series of perimeter holes, symmetrically placed around the permeter of the hull, extending from the upper surface, through the lower surface:
- a line or rope, synthetic or natural, threaded around the perimeter of the hull through the series of perimeter holes;
- a single perimenter hole at the perimeter of the bowed front, said perimeter on the long axis of the hull; and
- a tether threaded upward through the single perimeter hole such that it is joined to the line or rope, optionally in the recesses of the hole in the single perimeter hole.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 16, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 22, 2011
Inventor: Edwin L. Patton (San Antonio, FL)
Application Number: 12/817,123
International Classification: B65D 25/00 (20060101);