Method and System for Water Ingress and Egress

Abstract

A ramp assembly includes a buoyant support platform having a landing area with right and left support arms extending generally parallel therefrom, thereby forming a U-shaped profile. The top of a ramp is affixed at the base of the U-shape profile between the two support arms and the lower portion of the ramp extends downwardly therefrom. A left side support for the ramp connects the left lower portion of the ramp with the inside of the left support arm and a right side support for the ramp connects the right lower portion of the ramp with the inside of the right support arm, wherein the left side support and the right side support secure the ramp in the desired position for allowing swimmers to easily enter or exit the water.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority based upon prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/898,838 filed Nov. 1, 2013 in the name of Mark Anastasia, entitled “Method and System for Water Ingress and Egress,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system for easily entering and exiting a body of water. Ramps generally known in the art are rigid, flexible or inflatable. Rigid ramps, such as metal or wooden ramps or ladders can be heavy and difficult to move. In addition, they often extend only a short distance below the water surface and have poor support for the feet. Accessing and using ramps or ladders of this type can nearly be impossible and very hazardous for a swimmer. They can also be difficult to attach to a dock or other surface and are entirely unsuitable for use with inflatable structures.

Flexible ramps generally consist of rope or other flexible vertical members connected to rungs. These ramps can be lighter weight than rigid ramps, but can be difficult to attach to a structure and are also unsuitable for dependably accessing an inflatable structure because there is generally no way to affix the ladder to the structure. Inflatable ramps known in the art are typically flimsy and don't provide the rigidity or stability to allow a swimmer to easily access the ramp and exit the water in an upright position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A ramp assembly is provided for allowing swimmers to easily enter or exit the water. The assembly consists of a buoyant support platform having a landing area with right and left support arms extending generally parallel therefrom, thereby forming a U-shaped profile. The top of a ramp is affixed at the base of the U-shape profile between the two support arms and the lower portion of the ramp extends downwardly therefrom. A left side support for the ramp connects the left lower portion of the ramp with the inside of the left support arm and a right side support for the ramp connects the right lower portion of the ramp with the inside of the right support arm, wherein the left side support and the right side support secure the ramp in the desired position.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly certain aspects of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may better be understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like features and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the water ingress and egress system of the present invention

FIG. 2 is a upper right front perspective view of one embodiment of the water ingress and egress system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a lower right rear perspective view one embodiment of the water ingress and egress system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of the water ingress and egress system of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an upper right front perspective view of one embodiment of the water ingress and egress system of the present invention attached to an inflatable raft;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the water ingress and egress system of the present invention attached to an inflatable playground; and

FIG. 7 is an upper right front perspective view of one embodiment of the water ingress and egress system of the present invention attached to an inflatable slide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to improved methods and systems for, among other things, water ingress and egress. The configuration and use of the presently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of contexts other than those specifically described herein. Accordingly, the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. In addition, the following terms shall have the associated meaning when used herein:

“ramp” means ramp, ladder, stairs or other inclined device or structure; and

“inflatable” means able to be inflated with air, either partially or entirely, with either a continuous air supply or with static pressure.

Those skilled in the art recognize that climbing out of the water onto an inflated raft or dock can be difficult under the best of circumstances and can be nearly impossible under adverse conditions. Self-contained ramps or stairs that allow a swimmer to exit the water are rare, and those that are known in the art are typically rigid and difficult to move. Inflatable ramps or stairs traditionally lack the structure or support to be self-contained, and typically do not allow the user to climb out of the water in an upright position. As described in detail below, the present invention provides a sturdy, light-weight assembly for allowing easy, comfortable and safe water ingress and egress.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein one embodiment of the ramp assembly 100 of the present invention comprises a support platform 103 and a ramp 105. The support platform 103 consists of a landing portion 101 and right and left support arms 112 extending therefrom in a generally parallel configuration such that the landing portion 101 and the support arms 112 generally form a U-shaped profile with the ramp 105 affixed at the base of the U between the right and left support arms 112. In some configurations, ballasts 109 are added underneath each support arm 112.

The ramp assembly 100 is configured so that the support platform 103 floats generally on top of the water and the ramp 105 extends downwardly into the water to a sufficient depth and at a suitable angle for a swimmer to enter the ramp 105 easily. While the ramp assembly 100 is shown in a self-contained configuration in which the platform 103 is flat and the ramp assembly 100 is free floating, the ramp assembly 100 can be secured to, or integrated into, a deck, an inflatable raft, or other structures commonly found in or adjacent to bodies of water as will be discussed in more detail below.

In some embodiments, the support platform 103 is inflatable with support arms 112 having a generally rectangular cross section. The support platform 103 can be made of known materials, such as urethane-coated nylon mesh, and can be inflated using any means generally known in the art. Alternatively, the support platform 103 can be made of any suitable buoyant material known in the art, such as foamed polystyrene. The support platform 103 and the support arms 112 are intended to be self-supporting, having sufficient strength to maintain rigidity during use and sufficient buoyancy to keep the top of the support platform 103 from being covered in water when in use. Non-slip steps 114 may be affixed to, or integrated into, the support platform 103 if desired. In addition, handles (not shown) may be affixed along the inside of support arms 112 to aid the swimmer in exiting the water and entering the ramp 105.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top of the ramp 105 is affixed to the support platform 103 at the base of the U-shape between the left and right support arms 112. The ramp 105 can be made of any material capable of bearing the weight of preferably multiple users at a single time, and typically consists of a fabric or plastic material 106 made or covered with non-slip material that has rungs 107 configured perpendicularly across the ramp 105. The rungs 107 may be configured, for example, from PVC pipes 107 and covered in foam and sewn inside the fabric or plastic material 106 or simply affixed to the outside of the material 106. Support members 108 may also be configured on each side of the ramp 105 for added stability. One or more weights may be integrated into, or attached to the outside of, the ramp 105 and, when used, will generally be positioned towards the lower end of the ramp 105. In one embodiment, rings 104 are configured on each side of the ramp and weights may be detachably affixed to the rings 104 when in use.

In some embodiments, each side of the ramp 105 is affixed to support arms 112 with a side support 110, such as netting material that is cut at the appropriate angle to allow the ramp 105 to maintain a desired angle during use. In some instances, the desired angle between the bottom of the ramp 105 and the top of the support arms 112 is approximately 45 degrees. At that angle, a swimmer accessing the ramp 105 can use the ramp 105 to exit the water while maintaining an upright position, much the same as walking up a flight of stairs. The side support 110 can be any material known in the art that provides sufficient support to secure the ramp at the desired angle. The side support 110 need not be a mesh or netting as depicted in the figures, and may instead be made of one or more straps, belts, cords or other materials.

Referring now to FIG. 5, wherein the ramp assembly 100 of the present invention is integrated into an inflatable trampoline 505. The ramp assembly 100 is integrated into the deck surrounding the inflatable trampoline 505, thereby allowing a swimmer to easily exit the water and access the decking. In this instance, the landing area located at the top of the ramp 105 is raised out of the water a relative distance so that the user exits the ramp assembly 100 onto a flat surface. For example, if a the top of a trampoline 505 is 12″ above the water, the landing area would also be 12″ above the water, not down at water level which would then require the user to make a final 12″ step up to the top of the decking surrounding the trampoline 505.

Similarly, FIG. 6 shows the ramp assembly 100 integrated into an inflatable playground 705 and FIG. 7 shows the ramp assembly 100 integrated into inflatable slide 705. In these embodiments, the entire structure is inflatable for use and can be deflated for storage. The ramp assembly 100 can by located at various positions on the structure to which it is attached, such as inside a pool, at the entry to the playground or the entry to a trampoline.

While the present invention has been disclosed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other embodiments have also been enabled. Even though the foregoing discussion has focused on particular embodiments, it is understood that other configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though the expressions “in one embodiment” or “in another embodiment” are used herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference embodiment possibilities and are not intended to limit the invention to those particular embodiment configurations. These terms may reference the same or different embodiments, and unless indicated otherwise, are combinable into aggregate embodiments. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. The term “connected” means “communicatively connected” unless otherwise defined

When a single embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one embodiment may be used in place of a single embodiment. Similarly, where more than one embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single embodiment may be substituted for that one device.

In light of the wide variety of possible water ingress and egress methods and systems available, the detailed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, what is claimed as the invention is all such modifications as may come within the spirit and scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

None of the description in this specification should be read as implying that any particular element, step or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope. The scope of the patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims and their equivalents. Unless explicitly recited, other aspects of the present invention as described in this specification do not limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ramp assembly comprising:

a buoyant support platform having a landing area and two support arms extending therefrom generally parallel to each other;

a ramp, wherein the upper portion of the ramp is affixed to the buoyant support platform between the two support arms and wherein the lower portion of the ramp extends downwardly therefrom; and

side supports for the ramp affixed inside each support arm and connecting to the ramp to secure the ramp in the desired position.

2. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the buoyant support platform is inflated.

3. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the ramp is made of a flexible material.

4. The ramp of claim 1, wherein the ramp is made of a flexible material incorporating rungs configured perpendicularly to the ramp.

5. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the ramp is weighted.

6. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the desired position is a forty five degree angle between the bottom of the ramp and the top of the support arms.

7. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein ballasts are affixed to the bottom of the buoyant support platform.

8. A ramp assembly comprising:

a buoyant support platform having a landing area with right and left support arms extending generally parallel therefrom, thereby forming a U-shaped profile;

a ramp, wherein the top of the ramp is affixed at the base of the U-shape profile between the two support arms and wherein the lower portion of the ramp extends downwardly therefrom; and

a left side support for the ramp connecting the left lower portion of the ramp with the inside of the left support arm and a right side support for the ramp connecting the right lower portion of the ramp with the inside of the right support arm, wherein the left side support and the right side support secure the ramp in the desired position.

9. The ramp assembly of claim 8, wherein the buoyant support platform is inflated.

10. The ramp assembly of claim 8, wherein the ramp is made of a flexible material.

11. The ramp of claim 8, wherein the ramp is made of a flexible material incorporating rungs configured perpendicularly to the ramp.

12. The ramp assembly of claim 8, wherein the bottom portion of the ramp is weighted.

13. The ramp assembly of claim 8, wherein the desired position is a forty five degree angle between the bottom of the ramp and the top of the support arms.

14. The ramp assembly of claim 8, wherein ballasts are affixed to the bottom of the buoyant support platform.