Inflatable, Floatable Water Exit Ramp System

Abstract

An inflatable water exit ramp system including swim up entry ramp to enable quadruped to exit a body of water having a depth.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to water exit ramps and in particular inflatable water exit ramp systems.

2. Description of Related Art

It may be desirable to provide an inflatable water exit ramp system; the present invention provides such a system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Features, Objects, and Advantages of the Present Invention Will Become More Apparent from the Detailed Description Set Forth Below when Taken in Conjunction with the Drawings in which Like Reference Characters Identify Correspondingly Throughout and Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, isometric view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a left side view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is cross-sectional left side view of the left rail of the inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is partial side view of the left rail and mesh ramp of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is partial side, sectional view of the right rail end of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is partial rear, cross-sectional view of the left rail and mesh ramp of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a top, isometric view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) with several flexible tubes in various stages of insertion or removal from the flexible mesh ramp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this description, embodiments and variations are described for the purpose of illustrating uses and implementations of the invention. The illustrative description should be understood as presenting examples of the invention, rather than as limiting the scope of the invention.

It may be difficult for a quadruped to exit a body of water where the depth of water at the desired exit area is greater than the length of the quadruped and the exit area provides limited traction features. For example, a dog attempting to exit a pool with no shallow area or climb onto a boat or other floating area such as a deck in water having a certain depth may have a difficult if not possible task. The dog may require assistance, which may be difficult depending on the size and weight of the dog and the specific exit area environment. The present invention provides embodiment of an inflatable, floatable exit ramp system (IFWER) that enables a quadruped to more easily and safely exit a body of water to a desired exit area (such as a deck, boat gunnel, pool periphery, or other exit area).

FIG. 1 is a top, isometric view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) 10 in an operational configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the IFWER 10 includes a left rail 30B, a right rail 30A, a central front 32 area, and swim up area 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the IFWER 10 includes a left rail 30B coupled to a right rail 30A via the central front 32 area. In an embodiment, the swim up area 20 is formed by the combination of the right rail 30A, left rail 30B, and the central front area 32.

In an embodiment, the swim up area 20 includes a flexible mesh 28 with a plurality of steps 22 and a rear form holding section 26. As also shown in FIG. 1-8, the IFWER 10 may include a plurality of tethering systems 70A-G. The IFWER 10 may also include an air valve system 50 where a User may add or remove air from the right rail 30A, left rail 30B, and the central front area 32 during operation mode or use or storage mode. In an embodiment the right rail 30A, left rail 30B, and the central front area 32 may have an outer surface formed from a plurality of flexible, water and air non-permeable material including various thermoplastic polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and elastomers including natural and synthetic rubber such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EDPM).

As shown in FIG. 1, the central area 32 may include a traction pad 60 made of a polymer such as EPDM, PVC, natural rubber, neoprene, silicon, or other flexible, non-skid materials. FIG. 2 is a rear view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the IFWER 10 swim up area 20 is shaped to extend below the bottom 12B of the main structure 90 including the rails 30A, 30B and central area 32. The area 20 in the rear 16B of the IFWER is semi-circular in shape in an embodiment. The plurality of steps 22 may in the center of the entry ramp 20 and about equally spaced apart. The entry ramp 20 mesh 28 may be comprising of various fibers including polymers or natural materials. The mesh 28 may be weaved in a rip-stop pattern so any tear may not prorogate or expand in the mesh 28 in an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface of the structure 90 may include additional tethering systems 70C, 70D at the front 16A corners of the IFWER 10. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the IFWER 10 may include a top surface 12A, bottom surface 12B, right side 14A, left side 14B, front 16A, and rear 16B. The IFWER 10 envelope or outer shape may be rectangular in shape in an embodiment. In an embodiment, an operational IFWER 10 may have a width (from 14A to 14B) about 38 inches, a length (from 16A to 16B) about 58, and a height (from 12A to 12B) about 6.25 inches. The bottom of the entry ramp 20 may extend about 19 inches below the bottom surface 12B of the structure 90. A IFWER 10 may weight about 10 lbs and support a quadruped of up to 200 lbs. In another embodiment, a IFWER 10 dimensions may be scaled up or down to support quadruped of various weights.

FIG. 4A is a left side 12B view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is cross-sectional left side 12B view of the left rail 30B of the inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system (IFWER) 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the exit ramp 20 extends substantially below the rail 30B. In an embodiment, the ramp rim 26 includes a sleeve 26B with an opening 26A to receive a flexible (axially) but substantially incompressible tube 40B (FIG. 8) having a length to extend along the length of the ramp rim 26 and thereby help maintain its semi-circular shape even when placed in water. The sleeve 26B opening may be on either side of the sleeve 26 and may including a locking mechanism to hold the 4 Pa tube 40B in place once inserted therein including velco type locking fabric, snaps, or other locking mechanisms.

In an embodiment, the rails 30A, 30B and central area 32 may include a drop-stick configuration 88 between the top 12A and bottom 12B such as shown in FIG. 4B (and FIGS. 6 and 7). The drop-stick configuration 88 may include a plurality of crisscrossing threads 84 where space 86 for air remains for flotation purposes. The threads 84 and tubes 40A, 40B may be formed of a polymer or natural material including polyester, Kevlar, carbon fiber, or other materials having high tensile strength (for tubes 40A, 40B high incompressibility). As shown in the combination of FIGS. 4B and 7, the crisscross pattern for the threads 84 occurs from front 16A to back 16B and left 14B to right 14A so that the structure 90 is very rigid (when inflated or in operation) and prevents/limits the collapse of the exit ramp 20 by the deflection of the rails 30A, 30B inwardly when a quadruped engages the exit ramp 20.

FIG. 5 is partial side view of the left rail 30B and mesh ramp 28 of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system 10 (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is partial rear, cross-sectional view of the left rail 30B and mesh ramp 28 of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system 10 (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the mesh 28 of an entry ramp may be coupled to the structure 80 via several material layers 82B may are coupled to the structure 80 members (rails 30A, rail 30B, and central area 32). The material layers 82B may adhered to the structures 80 and the mesh 28 via adhesives in an embodiment. The layers 82B may be adhered to structures 80 via ultrasonic welding, stitching, or other coupling methods.

In an embodiment, a top material layer 82C may couple a top side of the mesh 28 to a structure 80 and a bottom material layer 82D may couple a bottom side of the mesh 28 to a structure 80. In an embodiment, several top material layers 82B may be coupled to the top side of the mesh 28 where the layer 82F overlaps the layer 82E. In an embodiment, their may be multiple layers 82E, 82F on the top and bottom of the mesh 28 material. FIG. 6 is partial side, sectional view of the right rail 30A end 16B of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system 10 (IFWER) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6 a rail 30A end 16B may include a lower tethering system 70G and an upper tethering system 70E.

As shown FIG. 6, a tethering system 70A-G may include a structure 80 coupling layer 74, securable device or ring 72, and a ring coupling material 76. As shown in FIG. 6, the ring 72 may be comprised of a rigid material that a line or rope may be coupled thereto. The ring material may a rigid polymer, metal, or an alloy in an embodiment including stainless steel. The coupling ring coupling layer 76 may be coupled to the coupling layer 74. The coupling layer 74 may be coupled to a structure 80 element. The layers 74, 76, and 82A-F may be comprised a similar or same material as the structure 80 in an embodiment. The layers 74, 76, and 82A-F may be coupled to the structure 80 and each other via adhesives in an embodiment. The layers 74, 76, and 82A-F may be coupled to the structure 80 and each other via ultrasonic welding, stitching, or other coupling methods.

FIG. 8 is a top 12A, isometric view of an inflatable, floatable water exit ramp system 10 (IFWER) with several flexible tubes in various stages of insertion or removal from the flexible mesh ramp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, a IFWER 10 may be deflated or inflated via the air valve system 50. In an embodiment, in a storage state, air may be removed from the chambers 86 and the tubes removed 40A, 40B from the entry ramp 20. To make the IFWER 10 operational, the tubes 40A may be inserted into the step slots 22 via sleeves 22B openings 22C and sealed via the openings 22C prior to inflation of the structure 80 via the air valve 50. The long flexible tube 40B may be inserted into the ramp rim 26 via its sleeve 26B opening 26A and sealed via the opening 26A prior to inflation of the structure 80 via the air valve 50. Once the tubes 40A, 40B are inserted into the sleeves 22B, 26B and sealed therein, the structure 80 may be inflated to a desired pressure level via the valve 50. In an embodiment, the pressure level may be about 0.3 to 2 atmospheres or about 0.5 atmospheres in an embodiment. The openings 22A and 26A may be sealable via repeatably lockable mechanisms such a interlocking fabrics, zippers, buttons, snaps, or other such mechanisms.

While this invention has been described in terms of a best mode for achieving the objectives of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, in an embodiment the support strap ends 42A, 42B may be permanently secured to section of the locking strap 50 where the combination is sized so it may be placed onto a shoe 20 while coupled together.

Claims

1. An inflatable, floatable water exit ramp (IFWER) system, the system including:

an inflatable structure having rear section forming a u-shaped opening in a plane between its top and bottom; and

a swim up entry ramp formed in the u-shaped opening,

wherein the entry ramp includes a rear downward shape flexible, removal member creating an opening below the plane of the inflatable structure.

2. The IFWER system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable structure has a left rail and an opposing right rail.

3. The IFWER system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable structure has a central area coupled to the left rail and the opposing right rail and wherein the central area, the left rail, and the right rail form the u-shaped opening.

4. The IFWER system of claim 1, wherein the entry ramp is formed of a flexible mesh material.

5. The IFWER system of claim 4, wherein the entry ramp includes a plurality of steps coupled to the mesh material.

6. The IFWER system of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of steps includes a sleeve and the IFWER system further includes a plurality of flexible tubes removably insertable into each sleeve of the plurality of steps.

7. The IFWER system of claim 6, wherein each sleeve of the plurality of steps is lockable to securely hold a flexible tube once inserted therein.

8. The IFWER system of claim 7, wherein each sleeve of the plurality of steps is lockable to securely hold a flexible tube once inserted therein.

9. The IFWER system of claim 3, wherein the central area includes a traction mat on its top surface.

10. The IFWER system of claim 3, wherein the flexible mesh material is coupled to the central area, the left rail, and the right rail via at least one flexible material.

11. The IFWER system of claim 10, wherein the inflatable structure is comprised of at least one flexible material.

12. The IFWER system of claim 11, wherein the inflatable structure at least one flexible material is the same material as the coupling material for the mesh.

13. The IFWER system of claim 11, wherein the inflatable structure at least one flexible material is the same material as the coupling material for the mesh.

14. The IFWER system of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the flexible mesh material is coupled to the central area, the left rail, and the right rail via at least one flexible material and the bottom surface of the flexible mesh material is coupled to the central area, the left rail, and the right rail via at least one other flexible material.

15. The IFWER system of claim 14, wherein the inflatable structure is comprised of at least one flexible material.

16. The IFWER system of claim 11, wherein the inflatable structure at least one flexible material is the same material as the coupling materials for the top surface and the bottom surface of the flexible mesh.

17. The IFWER system of claim 13, wherein the inflatable structure includes a plurality of tethering systems.

18. The IFWER system of claim 17, wherein a tethering system is located to the four corners of the top surface of the inflatable structure.

19. The IFWER system of claim 18, wherein a tethering system is located on the front, two corners of the bottom surface of the inflatable structure.

20. The IFWER system of claim 18, wherein the inflatable structure is formed from PVC.