Connector Assemblies for Recreational Tubes

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting recreational tubes together that includes a recreational tube having a body with a circumferential sidewall surrounding a through hole, and a connector assembly including a first loop and a second loop along a portion of an exterior side of the sidewall and each loop having an end attached to the exterior side of the recreational tube. Each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube and the outer perimeter of the first loop being greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop. The connector assembly is configured to receive a connector for connecting the connector assembly of the recreational tube to another recreational tube

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/838,294, filed Apr. 24, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Any discussion about prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Outdoor enthusiasts frequently use inflated tubes to slide down snow covered hills and float down rivers for recreation and leisure. These inflated tubes often consist of an inner tube with an outer textile cover. Snow and river tubing are social activities. While providing some protection for the inflated inner tube and offering two handles and two or fewer connect points, the outer textile tube covers do not provide multiple connect points for securing multiple tubes together horizontally on multiple sides at the same time, do not provide multiple connect points intended for stacking tubes vertically, do not provide handles in each quadrant to support multiple riding positions, and do not provide multiple connect points for towlines or multiple connect points for securing the tube for transport and storage.

An unfulfilled need exists for practical, efficient, and easy to use tube cover that connects tubes on multiple sides for a social riding experience, that provides vertical stacking functionality, that provides for multiple riding positions, and provides numerous transportation and storage connect points.

It is an object of the invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

It will be appreciated that reference herein to “preferred” or “preferably” is intended as exemplary only.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant disclosure provides a textile cover for inflated tubes that satisfies the unmet needs. The disclosure provides a textile cover system that includes connectivity and handles from which many users can benefit. The tube cover can be designed and shaped to fit multiple size inflation tubes and can employ multiple different types of textile materials appropriate for multiple different applications including snow sliding and river floating.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a tube cover is provided that has rider handles and connect points in multiple locations. The tube cover comprises two textile materials cut in circular shape and sewn together and reinforced around the circumference.

The rider handle and connect point mechanism can comprise of strong webbing/strap material sewn to the cover materials and include a third reinforcing material for added strength. The webbing/strap material and the reinforcing material can be on opposite sides of the tube cover materials.

The connect point mechanism can allow for connecting multiple tube covers in multiple horizontal configurations including in series, in parallel, in series and parallel, in a circle, and so on.

The rider handle and connect point mechanism can allow for connecting tube covers in vertical configurations for use as a seating area, work surface, dining surface, and so on.

The rider handle mechanism can allow for multiple rider positions including sitting and laying on the stomach, and multiple facing directions. Numerous handles also provide for multiple riders on a single tube.

The connect point mechanism provides multiple attach points for hand tow lines and up-hill tow lines common at snow sledding hills.

The multi-strap configuration allows the tube covers to be interconnected. The connections allow the tubes to stay together in series configurations or in parallel line configurations. The unique handles and connection points of the straps and loops allow the tube covers to not only be used in series, but also to stack the tubes vertically and connect them horizontally.

It would be understood that the orientation terms, such as vertical, horizontal, upper, height, and such would determine the potion of the connector assembly and the portion of the recreational tube being described.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, preferred methods and materials are described. For the purposes of the invention, the following terms are defined below.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “a loop” means one loop or more than one loop. As used herein, the use of the singular includes the plural (and vice versa) unless specifically stated otherwise.

By “about” or “approximately” is meant a quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, estimate, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1% to a reference quantity, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length. The term can vary either greater than or less than what is stated.

In the context of the invention, the words “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in their inclusive, as opposed to their exclusive, sense, that is in the sense of “including, but not limited to” or similarly.

The invention described herein relates to a connector assembly that allows a user to easily attach two tubes together safely. In one example, part of the invention discloses using part of the assembly as a handle or as a connection loop to connect two tubes together. The connector assembly also allows two tubes to be vertically stacked for use as a table or chair while camping or taking a break during recreational activities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an overview of the apparatus for recreational tube that may be connected together.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the recreational tube with a view of the recreational tube and connector assembly

FIG. 3 is an illustration of two recreational tubes connected from an overhead view.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of two tubes connected together from a side angle view.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of two recreation tubes stacked vertically.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of two recreation tubes stacked vertically.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of steps for the method of positioning recreational tubes.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional illustration of the connector assembly extending circumferentially around a portion of the recreational tube.

Some figures, from the provisional application No. 62/838,294 filed 24 Apr. 2019 and to which to this application claims priority and has incorporated by reference, contain color representations or entities. Color illustrations are available from the Applicant upon request or from an appropriate Patent Office. A fee may be imposed if obtained from the Patent Office.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments detailed herein, other embodiments can achieve the same or similar results. Variations and modification of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and the invention is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents.

In the example of FIG. 1, an apparatus is illustrated for connecting recreational tubes together. For example, a recreational tube 100 may have a body with a circumferential sidewall 120 surrounding a through hole. The through hole is not depicted, because circumferential sidewall 120 forms this interior hole as an inner portion interior to circumferential sidewall 120. A connector assembly 102 (102a, 102b, and 102c are all examples of connector assembly 102 in the illustrative example of recreational tube 100, and may be used as a plural of all of 102a-c or as just a singular example) includes a first loop 104 and a second loop 106 along a portion of an exterior side of circumferential sidewall 120. In these examples, 102a-c represent a plurality of 102a. 102b, 102c, etc., and may represent a single 102 connector assembly, or may refer to multiple connector assemblies (102a, 102b, 102c, etc.) that may be on recreational tube 100, as an example in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 1, brackets are used to group first loop 104 and second loop 106 together in connector assembly 102, indicating that both first and second loops may be part of connector assembly 102.

In the example of FIG. 1, connector assembly 102 extends along a top portion 116. In some examples, recreational tube 100 may have a mid-line 114 that is between top or upper portion 116 and a bottom portion 118. Mid-line 114 may be at or near to the midpoint, which is between top or upper portion 116 and bottom portion 118, or above or below a midpoint of recreational tube 100. In one example, mid-line 114 may be a seam connecting top or upper portion 116 and bottom portion 118. Top portion 116 may be made of a similar or different material than bottom portion 118.

In the example of connector assembly 102 of FIG. 1, each loop (e.g., 104, 106) may have an end attached to the exterior side of recreational tube 100, each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube. In some examples, the outer perimeter may extend away from the recreational tube 100, so the loop extends parallel to or arching from recreational tube 100, and may be used as a handle by a user. In another example, first loop 104 may be adapted to receive a connector for connecting recreational tube to another tube. In this example, first loop 104 may have a first end 108, which may attach at a top point of recreational tube 100 and the beginning of first loop 104. The top point refers to the height of the highest point of the circumferential sidewall 120 of the side where a user may engage recreational tube 100 for riding in the tube in a recessed portion (see e.g., FIG. 3 as the center of recreational tube 100). First loop 104 may also have a second end 110. Second end 110 may connect to recreational tube 100, and in other example, second end 110 may extend out for connecting to another recreational tube or for docking.

As a note throughout this disclosure, connectors may include at least one of clamp, clip, carabiner, tie, hook, webbing strap, connecting link, ball chain connector, wire, coated wire, cable, screw pin anchor shackle, screw, integral connecter, hook and loop, buckle, coupling, chain link, zip tie, rope, and any combination thereof, for connecting the connector assembly of one recreational tube to another recreational tube.

Recreational tube 100 may have a circumferential sidewall 120 configured to include a vertical height. In this example, circumferential sidewall 120 is known in the tube art and is the surface or wall of a long cylinder, or tube shape, where the cylinder ends are joined to form a circular shape. Recreational tube 100 may have a height, which is the diameter of the long cylinder, or the furthest distance of circumferential sidewall 120 to opposite circumferential sidewall, so that the height may be determined measuring the distance from the lowest bottom portion 118 to the top upper portion 116.

First loop 104 and second loop 106 are in vertical arrangement so that the first loop 104 may extend vertically into second loop 106 along a portion of the height of the sidewall, further wherein first loop 104 connects from top or upper portion 116 of the recreational tube extending down into second loop 106, which connects to an approximate midportion of the outer side of the first recreational tube. First loop 104 is at top or upper portion 116 of recreational tube 100, and this upper location may enable a user to use first loop 104 as a handle. In this example, reinforcement of the handle or comfort material may be added for use as a handle. Further in the example of the connector assembly 102 of FIG. 1, second loop 106 is adjacent to first loop 104 and may be near to or at an approximate midportion, which may be mid-line 114, of recreational tube 100. Second loop 106 may be at mid-line 114, or just above mid-line 114 in upper portion 116, and in other examples, second loop 106 may be located just below mid-line 114 in bottom portion 118. In some examples, second loop 106 may extend as an outer perimeter of a loop formation, away from or parallel to recreational tube 100. Second loop 106 may connect at a third end 112, opposite of second end 110 (or mid-connection end 222 of FIG. 2). By forming a loop with a perimeter, second loop 106 may be adapted to receive a connector that connects another recreational tube to recreational tube 100.

First loop 104 and second loop 106 may be attached at ends by different possible methods. For example, some of the ways that the ends forming first loop 104 and second loop 106 may attach to recreational tube 100 include, but are not limited to at least one of sewn, adhesive, welded, clipped, molded, tied, linked, buckled, hooked, injection molded and any combination thereof. These ends may be reinforced with similar techniques to make the ends and parts of first loop 104 and second loop 106 may also be reinforced to become stronger to withstand more force without affecting the material or attachment. In some examples, the attached location of recreational tube 100 or portions, such as mid-connection portion 224 of FIG. 2, around the areas of attachment may also be reinforced with similar techniques.

In some examples, second end 110 of first loop 104 and mid-connection end (not illustrated in FIG. 1 but illustrated as 222 of FIG. 2) of second loop 106 may be the same, such as sewn together or extending from the same piece of material or portion, so that there is little to no distance between first loop 104 and second loop 106. In this way, mid-connection end 222 (FIG. 2) can be the same or at or near second end 110, which may include the ends of first loop 104 and second loop 106 sewn together. In another example, second end 110 of first loop 104 and mid-connection end 222 (FIG. 2) of second loop 106 are connected by a reinforced portion 224 (FIG. 2) in between second end 110 and mid-connection end 222 (FIG. 2). Reinforced portion 224 (FIG. 2) may be part of connector assembly 102 or recreational tube 100, and reinforced with material, chemical, sewing, or combination thereof, so that removing first loop 104 and second loop 106 from recreational tube 100 may require greater force compared to the amount of force without reinforcement. Reinforced portion 224 (FIG. 2) may be a simple seam or as large as portion between first loop 104 and second loop 106, varying in size, so that the reinforcement reduces force at the attachment point of the loops when recreational tube 100 is used.

In the earlier example, reinforced portion (FIG. 2 as reinforced portion 224) may be at or near the connection of first loop 104 and second loop 106 to provide support for connecting recreational tube 100 to another tube and prevent ripping, tearing, or other weakening of recreational tube 100 material and breaking the connection of first loop 104 and second loop 106 from recreational tube 100. In another example, second end 110 of first loop 104 and mid-connection end (FIG. 2 as 222) may be separate, so that each connects to reinforced portion (FIG. 2 as 224). In this way, reinforcement portion 224 may spread the force or pulling across the distance of reinforcement portion (FIG. 2 as 224), so it does not occur at the same point of attachment to recreational tube 100. In FIG. 2, reinforced portion 224 is illustrated as a portion of connector assembly 102 between separate second end 110 and mid-connection end (FIG. 2 as 222).

As mentioned herein, reinforcement techniques may be used to attach connector assembly 102 (FIG. 1). For example, connector assembly 102 between first loop 104 and second loop 106 has a reinforced attachment to the recreational tube and is fabricated from a fabric and sewn onto a portion of the sidewall of each recreational tube, further wherein the end of each loop, such as first end 108, second end 110, mid-connection end (FIG. 2 as 222), third end 112, may include a reinforced attachment to recreational tube 100. Anywhere on connector assembly 102 may include reinforcement areas to improve maintaining attachment and withstanding force while in use.

In another example, connector assembly 102, first loop 104 is formed between first end 108 and second end 110, creating an outer perimeter of first loop 104. Second loop 106, for example, connects adjacent to second end 110. Second loop 106 may extend in a perimeter of second loop 106 to third end 112, so that the perimeter of second loop 106 is configured to receive a connector by hooking, clipping, tying, buckling, clamping, and other known ways to connect tubes together, the connector to second loop 106.

In FIG. 2, in another example of connector assembly 102 (FIG. 1), first loop 204 forms at least between first end 208 and second end 210, creating an outer perimeter of first loop 204. Second end 210 may connect to reinforced portion 224. In some examples, mid-connection end 222 may attach to reinforced portion 224, at the same, opposite or adjacent location from where second end 210 attaches to reinforced portion 224. Mid-connection end 222 may connect to second loop 206, for example, at mid-connection end 222. Mid-connection end 222 may be both ends of first loop 204 and second loop 206 together, either joined together or separate and attached together, or attached to different ends of a reinforced portion 224 between first loop 204 and second loop 206, further in the example of FIG. 2, showing reinforced portion 224. In other words, second end 210 may be formed with one connection end or two separate connection ends with reinforced portion 224 in between. In some examples, separate connection ends (see e.g., FIG. 2) may include second end 210 and mid-connection end 222. Second loop 206 may extend in a perimeter of the loop to third end 212 that may be located posterior to mid-connection end 222, so that the perimeter of second loop 206 is configured to receive a connector by hooking, clipping, tying, buckling, clamping, and other known ways to connect tubes together, the connector to second loop 206.

In this example, the perimeter (or distance or length of the portion of the loop, or example an edge or outer border, or path encompassing the loop formation) of first loop 204 between first end 208 and second end 210 may be greater to, longer to, or equal to the perimeter of second loop 206 between mid-connection end 222 and third end 212. Further in the example of FIG. 2, first loop 204 may be at least the same or greater perimeter as the perimeter of second loop 206. For example, FIG. 2 depicts first loop 204 larger than second loop 206, but the amount or length that first loop 204 is greater than second loop 206 may vary and may range from close to equal parameters to more than 20 times the length or distance of the parameter. The length of the perimeter of first loop 204 may depend on the size of a top portion of (such as top portion 116 of FIG. 1), as the perimeter of first loop 204 is determined by first end 208 and second end 210 within the top portion.

The embodiment of the invention, in one example of FIG. 3, is a first recreational tube 300 that may connect to a second recreational tube 320 by a connector 310, which connects between first and second recreational tubes 300, 320 respectively. In this example, first recreational tube 310 has multiple connector assemblies (or a plurality of connector assemblies), such as connector assemblies 332, 334, 336 and 338. Second recreational tube 320 also has multiple (a plurality of) connector assemblies 346, 340, 342, and 344. In the example of FIG. 3, first recreational tube is connected by connector assembly 338 connected via connector 310 to connector assembly 346 of second recreational tube 320. The plurality of connector assemblies may be radially spaced out, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 3, and may be evenly spaced or unevenly spaced depending on the use of recreational tube 100. Recreational tube 100 may have an odd number of connector assemblies 102 or an even number (see FIG. 3 connector assemblies 346, 340, 342, and 344). This invention is not limited to a specific number of connector assemblies and variations are included in the scope of the inventions.

FIG. 3, illustrates two recreational tubes connected. The plurality of connector assemblies 344, 340, 342, allow recreational tube 320 to connect to three additional tubes. Connector assemblies 332, 334, 336 of recreational tube 300 may allow first recreational tube 300 to attach to three additional recreational tubes different from second recreational tube 320. This allows for multiple tubes to connect in different formations, such as circles, grids, lines, and more unlimited connection patterns, based on the connector assembly positions and connections with other recreational tubes.

The connector assembly connection or attachment to recreational tube 100 may be accomplished in different ways. For example, connector assembly 102 may be attached to a cover which is separate from the recreation tube. In another example, connector assembly may be a strap that wraps around circumferential sidewall 120 and the strap may include first loop 104 and second loop 106. In another example, connector assembly 102 may integrally attach to recreational tube 100, so that it is one continuous form or as a single apparatus with recreational tube 100, for example accomplished through injection mold fabrication, or welding, molding, and other methods used in the art. In this example, consistent material may be used. Other techniques may include varying materials and assembling portion and elements described herein together. For example, connector assembly 102 may attach to recreational tube 100 through various techniques used in the recreational tube art, such as sewing, gluing, heat molding, attaching, welding, as an integrally connected injection mold, and any combination thereof.

Materials that are used for all portions of recreational tube 100 may be one or a combination of a variety. For example, connector assembly 102 may be made from at least one of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, UV resistant fabric, rubber, foam, plastic, thermo plastic polymers, polycarbonates, acrylic, composites, butyl rubber, poly vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, copolymer ethylene vinyl acetate, thermal plastic rubber, and any combination thereof. Upper portion 116 may be made from these same materials and may vary due to fabrication or intended use of recreational tube 100 in certain markets. Bottom portion 118 may be made of similar materials, and may be selected based on the recreational use, such as a more slippery material for reducing friction while snow tubing or for better durability based on use. Some material configurations may include a different material for upper portion 116 where first loop 104 may extend down circumferential wall 120 of at least a third of top or upper portion 116, so stronger reinforced material is selected for this portion, and other durable or reinforcing material may be added to mid-line 114, such as to create a seam. Other combinations of materials, however, are considered for this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is another view of two recreational tubes placed adjacent next to one another and connected between them. FIG. 4 illustrates the connectivity between recreational tubes. This invention and disclosure may also include a method for positioning a first recreational tube 400 horizontally next to a second recreational tube 410 and the method includes connecting, with a connector 420, a connector assembly 430 of the first recreational tube to second recreational tube 410. Connector assembly 430 includes a first loop 432, 442 and a second loop 434, 444 along a portion of an exterior side of the sidewall and each loop having an end attached to the exterior side of the recreational tube, each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube, wherein the outer perimeter of first loop 432, 442 being greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop 434, 444, wherein the connector assembly is configured to receive a connector for connecting connector assembly 430 of the recreational tube to second recreational tube 410.

FIG. 7 is an example of steps for positioning first and second recreational tubes. For example, positioning horizontally of the first recreational tube adjacent to the second recreational tube is a first position, and the method further includes positioning the first recreational tube from the first position to a second position in a vertical stack orientation. (See, e.g., FIG. 7, 700). FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a vertical stack orientation 500. In the example of FIG. 5, two recreational tubes may start in the adjacent position of FIG. 4 where both connector assemblies are connected with a connector 530 (using either of the first or second loops for connection). FIG. 7 may also disclose connecting first and second recreational tubes with a connector. (See, e.g., FIG. 7, 710). When one of the recreational tubes of FIG. 4 is flipped on top of the other, the resulting position may be similar to the configuration of FIG. 5. Thus, FIG. 5 may illustrate the second position, of vertical stack 500. In this example, vertical stack 500 may include both upper portions 542, 544 in contact. However, in other arrangement, one upper portion (with a connector assembly) and one bottom portion of either recreational tube may also be in contact or both bottom portions 546, 548 may be in contact, while being connected with connector 530.

The example of FIG. 5 further illustrates the connection of connector assembly loops. For example, in FIG. 5, first recreational tube 510 (bottom tube) has a first loop 504 connected by a connector 530 to a second loop 506 of second recreational tube 520. (See, e.g., FIG. 7, 720). In this arrangement, connector 530 may slide along first loop 504 a distance to connect to second loop 506, securing the two tubes vertically stacked together. However, any combination of loop connections is possible with connector 530 to get the desired securing of the tubes. For example, connecting both first loops, which have a larger or longer perimeter, may result in the tubes more loosely stacked. (See, e.g., FIG. 7, 730). Connecting both second loops may have a tighter or more secure stacking of recreational tubes, and may prevent the recreational tubes from moving independently from one another. The perimeter of the respective loop may result in a secure or loose stacking of recreational tubes. In the example of FIG. 5, alternative attachment combinations of connector assemblies' loops are possible. Attaching first loop of first recreational tube 510 is for example only.

In the example of FIG. 5, connector assemblies are approximate to one another or near to one another, so that connector 530, or other connectors such as a second connector 540, may connect connector assembly of first recreational tube 510 to connector assembly of second recreational tube 520. Locating the connector assemblies in the same radial location on first recreational tube 510 as second recreational tube 520 may improve connecting connector assemblies with connector 530 and 540 (and other connectors used for connecting other connector assemblies). Using more than one connector (such as connector 530 and 540) improves maintaining second position vertical stack 500. The more sides that are connected may proportionally reduce recreational tube movement relative to one another.

The method may include where the connector assembly of each of the first recreational tube 510 and second recreational tube 520 are connected together by connector 530, which connects at least one of first loop 504 of first recreational tube 510 to second loop 506 of second recreational tube 520, or in another example the reverse connection is possible such that second loop of first recreational tube 510 is connected to first loop of second recreational tube 520. In a none limiting example, with first loop 504 of first recreational tube 510 to second loop 506 of second recreational tube 520, connector 530 is connected in this configuration in a first position, for example adjacent position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and connector 530 may remain connected in this way when second recreational tube 520 is positioned in a vertical stack second position 500. Once in vertical stack (orientation) second position 500, a second connector 540 may then connect other connector assemblies of first recreation tube 510 and second recreation tube 520 together. In this embodiment, other connection configurations are also possible within this disclosure, connecting the various loops of the connector assemblies together.

First recreational tube 510 and second recreational tube 520 in vertical stack orientation 500 may connect together (or secure together by a connector) by connecting at least one connector assembly (for example first loop 504) of first recreational tube 510 to at least one connector assembly (for example second loop 506) of second recreational tube 520. When at least one connector assembly of the first recreational tube and at least one connector assembly of the second recreational tube are in approximately the same radial location respective to first recreational tube 510 and the second recreational tube 520, then vertical stacking is easier as the connector assemblies are approximate to one another.

Vertical stack orientation, second position 500, also may be accomplished when multiple (a plurality of) recreational tubes are interconnected. For example, two rows of recreational tubes may be connected so that one row is stacked on top of the other row. The ability of multiple recreational tubes to vertically stack depends on the connection of connector assemblies.

In another example, horizontal stacking may also be possible with connectors connecting connector assemblies. Horizontal stacking may be advantageous for storage. Horizontal stacking is similar to vertical stacking, but rotated 90 degrees, such that recreational tubes may stand on each respective mid-line (for example mid-line 114 (illustrating a seam) of FIG. 1) while connected together.

In yet another example, the method of this disclosure may further include having more than one connector assembly on each tube, such as first recreational tube (100 of FIG. 1) having multiple connector assemblies. Connectors may connect recreational tubes for different uses. In additional to vertical stacking, such as stacking at least two tubes to create a chair or table, recreational tubes may connect for anchoring or securing purposes. For example, FIG. 1 may show connector assembly 102a that may use a connector to connect recreational tube 100 to a dock, while connector assembly 102b or 102c may be connected to other tubes. In this example, connector assembly secures recreational tube 100 to a dock, or boat, or other anchoring object. Securing recreational tubes is an advantage to prevent them from wind displacement and theft. In another example, multiple connector assemblies may allow recreational tube 100 to secure to a vehicle during transportation, or storing the recreational tube by hanging it from the connector assemblies from a garage or shed ceiling. In other example, connecting one recreational tube using at least two or more connector assemblies allows the recreational tube to connect to objects or to more securely connect with another tube or multiple other tubes.

FIG. 6 is an example of a closer view of FIG. 5. For example, a first recreational tube 610 may have a first loop 604 as part of a connector assembly. In this example, connector 630 connects first loop 604 to a second loop 606 of a second recreational tube 620. In this example, first recreational tube 610 is under second recreational tube 620 in a vertical stack orientation, position.

As applied throughout this disclosure, the connection between the connector assembly of the first recreational tube and the connector assembly of the second recreational tube utilizes at least one of clamp, clip, carabiner, tie, hook, webbing strap, connecting link, ball chain connector, wire, coated wire, cable, screw pin anchor shackle, coupling, chain link, zip tie, rope, integral connecter, hook and loop, buckle, and any combination thereof, for connecting the connector assembly.

In this disclosure, a system for connecting recreational tubes together is also embodied. For example, the system may include a connector assembly with a first loop and a second loop adapted to extend along a portion of an exterior side of a circumferential sidewall surrounding a through hole of a first recreational tube. Each loop has an end attached to a cover. A cover in this example may be a recreational tube cover, or semi-cover, that does not cover the entire tube. The cover may also be narrow (such as a strap) that is configured to bind around the circumferential sidewall of the recreational tube, such as in FIG. 8, under strap 830, which extends around the circumferential sidewall and configured so that each loop attaches to the exterior side of the strap. Strap 830 may be located between each loop and the recreational tube. In this way, the strap may be circumferentially bound to the circumferential sidewall of the recreation tube by a connector (not illustrated). In this example, the cover or strap may extend into an inner recess of the recreational tube, such as inner strap portion 810 of FIG. 8 that extends from the first loop to an inner recessed portion of the recreational tube. The strap may continue around the circumferential sidewall and come back up from the bottom as depicted as bottom strap portion 820 that continues under second loop and under first loop as under strap portion 830. In this example, similar to other examples, each loop may have an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube. In one example, the outer perimeter of the first loop is equal to or greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop. Each loop attaches to under strap portion 830. Each loop may attach to the strap as described herein, instead of directly to the recreational tube. In this regard, the strap covers the recreational tube or semi-covers the tube. The cover, or strap, may have varying widths.

In another example, the strap configuration may continue around the entire circumference of the circumferential sidewall, or a large portion. The cover may have two ends that may connect directly or have a first connector connecting them. In this example, the first connector (connectors generally are described throughout this disclosure) may be used to connect the ends of the cover, semi-cover, or strap, to secure the cover around the tube. The first connector assembly is attached to the cover or strap. A different connector, such as a second connector, may be used to connect the connector assembly to another recreational tube. The system of claim 18, wherein the first connector connects the connector assembly around the circumferential sidewall of at least a portion of the first recreational tube; wherein the first and second loops are attached to the connector assembly, which extends around the circumference of the circumferential sidewall.

The system may further include a second connector for connecting the connector assembly of the first recreational tube to the second recreational tube.

In the example of the system, recreational tubes may connect together, such as at least a first innertube and a second innertube, similar to the example of FIG. 3. In this example, each innertube may include a body with a circumferential vertical sidewall 120 (FIG. 120) surrounding a through hole. As mentioned herein, this structure is known in the recreational tube art. In this example, the vertical sidewall may have a height. In this embodiment, each innertube including a connector assembly, having a first end attached to the sidewall of the cover covering the recreational tube, the connector assembly having a perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube, in accordance with the figures and as described herein. The system may also include a second connector (310 of FIG. 3) configured to connect first recreational tube 300 and second recreational tube 320 together, the second connector being configured to be inserted into and receive each connector assembly of the first and second innertubes.

In the example of FIG. 2, the first recreational tube may be configured with a material loop sewn into a middle seam and a second recreational tube with a loop (206 FIG. 2) sewn into a middle seam, or mid-line 114. The connector assembly may further include a second loop with at least one end attached to the first innertube. In some examples, the connector assembly may extend around the circumferential vertical side wall of each recreational tube. For example, in FIG. 8, connector assembly circumferentially extends along circumferential sidewall (120 of FIG. 1) in a complete circle and connects back with the second loop visible as an under portion 820 of connector assembly in FIG. 8. A back portion of connector assembly 810 extends through the inner recess of the recreational tube and the second recreational tube, extending circumferentially away from first loop at back portion 810 and connecting to second loop at under portion 820.

In the example of the system, or any of this disclosure herein, the connector may be a clip. The connector may be made of metal or plastic. In some example the connector assembly is fabricated from a fabric and sewn onto a portion of the sidewall of each innertube. In other examples, the first loop may be configured to form a handle.

The second connector loop may be configured to receive the connector. The end of the first loop may form a shared portion of one of the ends of the second loop. The shared loop, in this example, may form a shared portion of the first and second loop that may be sewn onto the side wall.

The material used for the tube cover may be season specific and may use special threads or coatings. For example, the tube cover may include a mold resistant material or coating. The tube cover may be made from heavy duty material so that the tube cover does not rip or tear during use and would be a reinforcement for the connector assembly (also known in this example as a semi-cover and when narrow to be called straps, and are used interchangeably) connected to the tube cover. In some examples, the material may be abrasion resistant, so that during use of the tube for snow tubing down a hill or floating down a river, the tube cover does not rip or tear. The material may be made from low friction material so that the snow tubing use and the floating in water use would allow the tube to not slow movement due to resistance while moving through snow or water. In other examples, the material may include a mesh so that water can pass though the mesh and drain out of the permeable or semi-permeable mesh material. For example, using recreational tube 100 on a river in summer, mesh may improve floating down the river, but would not fill the cover of the tube, but would allow water to drain or flow through a semi-permeable or permeable mesh material.

An overview of the invention is as follows. An apparatus for connecting recreational tubes together may include a recreational tube having a body with a circumferential sidewall surrounding a through hole, and a connector assembly that may include a first loop and a second loop along a portion of an exterior side of the sidewall. Each loop having an end attached to the exterior side of the recreational tube, each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube, and the outer perimeter of the first loop being greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop. The connector assembly is configured to receive a connector for connecting the connector assembly of the recreational tube to another recreational tube. The connector assembly is at least one connector assembly attached to the recreational tube of a plurality of connector assemblies for connecting at least two recreational tubes together. The circumferential sidewall is vertical and has a height. The first loop and the second loop are in vertical arrangement with the first loop extending vertically into the second loop along a portion of the height of the sidewall, and the first loop connects from a top portion of the recreational tube extending down into the second loop, which connects to an approximate mid portion of the outer side of the first recreational tube. The apparatus includes at least two sets of connector assemblies that are radially spaced apart on the recreational tube, wherein each set of connector assemblies is configured to include the first loop at an upper portion of the recreational tube and the second loop is adjacent to the first loop at an approximate midportion of the recreational tube. The first loop is adapted to be a handle with a first attached end and a second attached end that are both fixed to the recreational tube by at least one of sewn, adhesive, welded, clipped, molded, tied, linked, hook and loop, integrally connected, buckled, hooked, injection molded and any combination thereof. a perimeter of the connector assembly is configured to have a first attachment, a second, and a third attachment sewn on the outer side of the recreational tube, wherein the first loop is formed between the first attachment and the second attachment and the second loop is formed between the second attachment and the third attachment.

The connector assembly is at least one of attached to a cover which is separate from the recreation tube, the connector assembly integrally attached as a single apparatus to the circumferential sidewall of the recreational tube, and any combination thereof. The connector assembly is made of at least one of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, UV resistant fabric, rubber, foam, plastic, thermo plastic polymers, polycarbonates, acrylic, composites, butyl rubber, poly vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, copolymer ethylene vinyl acetate, thermal plastic rubber, and any combination thereof.

The first loop is a handle extending from a top portion of the first recreational tube down at least one-third of an outer surface of the recreational tube and the loop is attached by at least one of sewing, gluing, heat molding, attaching, welding, as an integrally connected injection mold part of the recreational tube, and any combination thereof, further wherein the recreational tube is made from a material of at least one of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, UV resistant fabric, rubber, foam, plastic, thermo plastic polymers, polycarbonates, acrylic, composites, butyl rubber, poly vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, copolymer ethylene vinyl acetate, thermal plastic rubber, and any combination thereof. The connector assembly between the first loop and the second loop has a reinforced attachment to the recreational tube and is fabricated from a fabric and sewn onto a portion of the sidewall of each recreational tube, further wherein the end of each loop has a reinforced attachment to the recreational tube.

The invention further includes a method for positioning a first recreational tube horizontally next to a second recreational tube including connecting, with a connector, a connector assembly of the first recreational tube to the second recreational tube. A connector assembly includes a first loop and a second loop along a portion of an exterior side of the sidewall and each loop having an end attached to the exterior side of the recreational tube, each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube. The outer perimeter of the first loop being greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop, wherein the connector assembly is configured to receive a connector for connecting the connector assembly of the recreational tube to the second recreational tube. Positioning horizontally the first recreational tube is adjacent to the second recreational tube is a first position, and the method further includes positioning the first recreational tube from the first position to a second position in a vertical stack orientation, which includes the first recreational tube on the second recreational tube, while the connector stays connected to the connector assemblies of the first and second recreational tubes.

The method further includes where the connector assembly of each of the first and the second recreational tubes are connected together by a connector, which connects at least one of the first loop of the first recreational tube to the second loop of the second recreational tube, or the second loop of the first recreational tube to the first loop of the second recreational tube. The method further includes connecting a second connector assembly of first recreational tube with a second connector for securing first recreational tube. The connection between the connector assembly of the first recreational tube and the connector assembly of the second recreational tube utilizes at least one of clamp, clip, carabiner, tie, hook, webbing, strap, connecting link, ball chain connector, wire, coated wire, cable, screw pin anchor shackle, coupling, chain link, zip tie, rope, integral connector, hook and loop, buckle, and any combination thereof, for connecting the connector assembly. The method for positioning connected to the second recreational tube, and the first recreational tube may be connected to at least one other tube in the plurality of recreational tubes.

The method further includes where connecting the first recreational tube and the second recreational tube in the vertical stack orientation secured together by connecting at least one connector assembly of the first recreational tube to at least one connector assembly of the second recreational tube, wherein the at least one connector assembly of the first recreational tube and the at least one connector assembly of the second recreational tube are in the same radial location as the first recreational tube and the second recreational tube respectively.

In another preferred embodiment, the system for connecting recreational tubes together may include a connector assembly including a first loop and a second loop adapted to extend along a portion of an exterior side of a circumferential sidewall surrounding a through hole of a first recreational tube, wherein each loop has an end attached to a cover configured to fit the exterior side of the recreational tube, each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube, wherein the outer perimeter of the first loop being greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop. The connector assembly is configured to connect the connector assembly of the first recreational tube to a second recreational tube; and a first connector for securing the connector assembly to the first recreational tube. The first connector connects the connector assembly around the circumferential sidewall of at least a portion of the first recreational tube; wherein the first and second loops are attached to the connector assembly, which extends around the circumference of the circumferential sidewall. The system may further include a second connector for connecting the connector assembly of the first recreational tube to the second recreational tube.

The elements described in each example may be used in the other examples and are not limited to the example that is describes.

The citation of any reference herein should not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as “Prior Art” to the instant application.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Those of skill in the art will therefore appreciate that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting recreational tubes together, including:

a recreational tube having a body with a circumferential sidewall surrounding a through hole; and

a connector assembly including a first loop and a second loop along a portion of an exterior side of the sidewall and each loop having an end attached to the exterior side of the recreational tube, each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube, wherein the outer perimeter of the first loop being greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop, wherein the connector assembly is configured to receive a connector for connecting the connector assembly of the recreational tube to another recreational tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly is at least one connector assembly attached to the recreational tube of a plurality of connector assemblies for connecting at least two recreational tubes together.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circumferential sidewall is vertical and has a height, the first loop and the second loop are in vertical arrangement with the first loop extending vertically into the second loop along a portion of the height of the sidewall, further wherein the first loop connects from a top portion of the recreational tube extending down into the second loop, which connects to an approximate mid portion of the outer side of the first recreational tube.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes at least two sets of connector assemblies that are radially spaced apart on the recreational tube, wherein each set of connector assemblies is configured to include the first loop at an upper portion of the recreational tube and the second loop is adjacent to the first loop at an approximate midportion of the recreational tube.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first loop is adapted to be a handle with a first attached end and a second attached end that are both fixed to the recreational tube by at least one of sewn, adhesive, welded, clipped, molded, tied, linked, hook and loop, integrally connected, buckled, hooked, injection molded and any combination thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a perimeter of the connector assembly is configured to have a first attachment, a second, and a third attachment sewn on the outer side of the recreational tube, wherein the first loop is formed between the first attachment and the second attachment and the second loop is formed between the second attachment and the third attachment.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly is at least one of attached to a cover which is separate from the recreation tube, the connector assembly integrally attached as a single apparatus to the circumferential sidewall of the recreational tube, and any combination thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly is made of at least one of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, UV resistant fabric, rubber, foam, plastic, thermo plastic polymers, polycarbonates, acrylic, composites, butyl rubber, poly vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, copolymer ethylene vinyl acetate, thermal plastic rubber, and any combination thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first loop is a handle extending from a top portion of the first recreational tube down at least one-third of an outer surface of the recreational tube and the loop is attached by at least one of sewing, gluing, heat molding, attaching, welding, as an integrally connected injection mold part of the recreational tube, and any combination thereof, further wherein the recreational tube is made from a material of at least one of nylon, polyester, polypropylene, UV resistant fabric, rubber, foam, plastic, thermo plastic polymers, polycarbonates, acrylic, composites, butyl rubber, poly vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, copolymer ethylene vinyl acetate, thermal plastic rubber, and any combination thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly between the first loop and the second loop has a reinforced attachment to the recreational tube and is fabricated from a fabric and sewn onto a portion of the sidewall of each recreational tube, further wherein the end of each loop has a reinforced attachment to the recreational tube.

11. A method for positioning a first recreational tube horizontally next to a second recreational tube including:

connecting, with a connector, a connector assembly of the first recreational tube to the second recreational tube, wherein a connector assembly includes a first loop and a second loop along a portion of an exterior side of the sidewall and each loop having an end attached to the exterior side of the recreational tube, each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube, wherein the outer perimeter of the first loop being greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop, wherein the connector assembly is configured to receive a connector for connecting the connector assembly of the recreational tube to the second recreational tube.

12. The method for positioning of claim 11, wherein the positioning horizontally of the first recreational tube is adjacent to the second recreational tube is a first position, and the method further includes positioning the first recreational tube from the first position to a second position in a vertical stack orientation, which includes the first recreational tube on the second recreational tube, while the connector stays connected to the connector assemblies of the first and second recreational tubes.

13. The method for positioning of claim 11, wherein the connector assembly of each of the first and the second recreational tubes are connected together by a connector, which connects at least one of the first loop of the first recreational tube to the second loop of the second recreational tube, or the second loop of the first recreational tube to the first loop of the second recreational tube.

14. The method for positioning of claim 11, further includes connecting a second connector assembly of first recreational tube with a second connector for securing first recreational tube.

15. The method for positioning of claim 11, wherein the connection between the connector assembly of the first recreational tube and the connector assembly of the second recreational tube utilizes at least one of clamp, clip, carabiner, tie, hook, webbing, strap, connecting link, ball chain connector, wire, coated wire, cable, screw pin anchor shackle, coupling, chain link, zip tie, rope, integral connector, hook and loop, buckle, and any combination thereof, for connecting the connector assembly.

16. The method for positioning connected to the second recreational tube, and the first recreational tube may be connected to at least one other tube in the plurality of recreational tubes.

17. The method for positioning from claim 11, wherein connecting the first recreational tube and the second recreational tube in the vertical stack orientation secured together by connecting at least one connector assembly of the first recreational tube to at least one connector assembly of the second recreational tube, wherein the at least one connector assembly of the first recreational tube and the at least one connector assembly of the second recreational tube are in the same radial location respective to the first recreational tube and the second recreational tube.

18. A system for connecting recreational tubes together including:

a connector assembly including a first loop and a second loop adapted to extend along a portion of an exterior side of a circumferential sidewall surrounding a through hole of a first recreational tube, wherein each loop has an end attached to a cover configured to fit the exterior side of the recreational tube, each loop having an outer perimeter oriented away from the recreational tube, wherein the outer perimeter of the first loop being greater than the outer perimeter of the second loop, wherein the connector assembly is configured to connect the connector assembly of the first recreational tube to a second recreational tube; and

a first connector for securing the connector assembly to the first recreational tube.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first connector connects the connector assembly around the circumferential sidewall of at least a portion of the first recreational tube; wherein the first and second loops are attached to the connector assembly, which extends around the circumference of the circumferential sidewall.

20. The system of claim 18, further including a second connector for connecting the connector assembly of the first recreational tube to the second recreational tube.