Abstract
The present invention is directed to an inflatable and floatable modular platform system. The inflatable platform system of the present disclosure includes floating elements of differing nesting shapes and sizes configured to be interconnected in order to allow users to stand, sit, and walk between floating elements. Embodiments include inflatable platforms having circular, arc-shaped, rectangular, and L-shaped inflatable platforms.
Claims
1. An inflatable platform system comprising: a first planar inflatable platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter; wherein the first inflatable platform comprises a first external perimetral aspect adapted to nest with an internal perimetral aspect of a second planar inflatable platform; wherein the external perimetral aspect comprises an interconnection point adapted to interconnect with an interconnection point of the internal perimetral aspect of a second planar inflatable platform.
2. The inflatable platform system of claim 1, wherein the first external perimetral aspect comprises an arcuate shape.
3. The inflatable platform system of claim 1, wherein the first external perimetral aspect comprises a polygonal shape.
4. The inflatable platform system of claim 1, wherein the first inflatable platform comprises a recess extending through the top surface of the first inflatable platform, the recess comprising a bottom surface.
5. The inflatable platform system of claim 4, wherein the top surface of the first inflatable platform comprises at least one magnetic connection adapted to interconnect with drinkware.
6. The inflatable platform system of claim 4, wherein the bottom surface of the recess comprises a membrane interconnected to the bottom surface of the inflatable platform.
7. The inflatable platform system of claim 1 further comprising: a second planar inflatable platform; wherein the second inflatable platform comprises an internal perimetral aspect adapted to nest to the first external perimetral aspect of the first inflatable platform; and wherein the internal perimetral aspect comprises an interconnection point adapted to interconnect with the interconnection point of the first external perimetral aspect.
8. The inflatable platform system of claim 7, wherein the interconnection point of the external perimetral aspect is interconnected to the top surface of the first inflatable platform, and wherein the interconnection point of the internal perimetral aspect is interconnected to the top surface of the second inflatable platform.
9. The inflatable platform system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first inflatable platform and the second inflatable platform comprises a recess extending through the top surface of the inflatable platform.
10. The inflatable platform system of claim 7, wherein the internal perimetral aspect has substantially the same shape as the external perimetral aspect.
11. The inflatable platform system of claim 10, wherein the internal perimetral aspect and external perimetral aspect comprise an arcuate shape.
12. The inflatable platform system of claim 10, wherein the internal perimetral aspect and external perimetral aspect comprise an L-shape.
13. The inflatable platform system of claim 7, wherein the top surface of the second inflatable platform comprises at least one magnetic connection adapted to interconnect with drinkware.
14. The inflatable platform system of claim 7, wherein the internal perimetral aspect comprises an arc-angle which is a mathematical factor of 360.
15. The inflatable platform system of claim 7, wherein the internal perimetral aspect comprises an arc-angle, and wherein the arc-angle comprises one of about 90 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 240 degrees, or about 270 degrees.
16. The inflatable platform system of claim 7, further comprising: a third planar inflatable platform; wherein the first inflatable platform comprises a second external perimetral aspect; wherein the second external perimetral aspect comprises an interconnection point adapted to interconnect with an interconnection point of the internal perimetral aspect of an inflatable platform; wherein the third inflatable platform comprises an internal perimetral aspect adapted to nest to the second external perimetral aspect of the first inflatable platform; and wherein the internal perimetral aspect comprises an interconnection point adapted to interconnect with the interconnection point of the second external perimetral aspect.
17. The inflatable platform system of claim 7, wherein the second inflatable platform comprises a backrest hingedly interconnected to a top surface of the second inflatable platform.
18. An inflatable platform comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface; a first internal perimetral aspect; wherein the first internal perimetral aspect is adapted to nest with an external perimetral aspect of a second planar inflatable platform; and wherein the first internal perimetral aspect comprises an interconnection point adapted to interconnect with an interconnection point of the external perimetral aspect of a second inflatable platform.
19. The inflatable platform system of claim 18, wherein the first internal perimetral aspect comprises an arcuate shape.
20. The inflatable platform system of claim 18, wherein the top surface of the inflatable platform comprises at least one magnetic connection adapted to interconnect with drinkware.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A—A perspective view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0018] FIG. 1B—A top view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0019] FIG. 1C—A side view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0020] FIG. 1D—A cross-sectional view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform as shown in FIG. 1B
[0021] FIG. 1E—A bottom view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0022] FIG. 2A—A top view of certain embodiments comprising a first inflatable platform configured to interconnect with a second inflatable platform
[0023] FIG. 2B—A top view of certain embodiments comprising a plurality of inflatable platforms configured to interconnect with each other
[0024] FIG. 3A—A top view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0025] FIG. 3B—A side view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0026] FIG. 3C—A perspective view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0027] FIG. 4A—A top view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0028] FIG. 4B—A side view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0029] FIG. 4C—A perspective view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0030] FIG. 5A—A top view of certain embodiments comprising a first inflatable platform configured to interconnect with a second inflatable platform
[0031] FIG. 5B—A side view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0032] FIG. 5C—A perspective view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0033] FIG. 6A—A top view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0034] FIG. 6B—A side view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0035] FIG. 6C—A perspective view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0036] FIG. 7A—A top view of certain embodiments comprising a first inflatable platform configured to interconnect with a second inflatable platform
[0037] FIG. 7B—A top view of certain embodiments comprising a first inflatable platform configured to interconnect with a second inflatable platform
[0038] FIG. 7C—A top view of certain embodiments comprising a first inflatable platform configured to interconnect with a second inflatable platform
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1E for example, of the present invention comprise an inflatable platform 1000. The inflatable platform 1000 comprises a top surface 1010, a bottom surface 1020, and a perimeter 1050 which defines the shape of the inflatable platform. The bottom surface 1020 of the inflatable platform is intended for direct contact with a body of water. The bottom surface 1020 of the inflatable platform of certain embodiments comprises a planar surface, however embodiments are not limited to having planar bottom surfaces, and alternate embodiments comprising non-planar bottom surface are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The top surface of 1020 the inflatable platform comprises a planar form configured to allow users to lay, sit, walk, and otherwise interact with the top surface. Alternate embodiments comprising a non-planar top surface are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0040] Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise a top surface 1010 and a bottom surface 1020 wherein the top surface 1010 and bottom surface 1020 are interconnected by a plurality of threads, typically polyester, wherein the plurality of threads maintain a thickness 1100 between the top surface 1010 and the bottom surface 1020. This interconnection between the top surface 1010 and the bottom surface 1002 is commonly referred to as drop-stitching. The volume contained between the top surface 1010 and the bottom surface 1020 comprises an air-tight chamber 1150 which is pressurized to inflate the chamber 1150.
[0041] Certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1B for example, comprise an inflatable platform wherein the top surface comprises grip enhancing surface treatment 1200. Grip enhancing surface treatments 1200 include, but are not limited to: texturized coatings, material bonded to the top surface of the inflatable platform, rubberized coatings, surface depth variation, or other materials for enhancing grip known in the existing state of the art.
[0042] Certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1B for example, comprise an inflatable platform 1000 comprising at least one interconnection point 1300 interconnected to a top surface 1010 of the inflatable platform. Alternate embodiments comprising an interconnection point 1300 interconnected to the perimeter surface 1050 of the inflatable platform are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The interconnection point 1300 comprises an aperture wherethrough a tethering device, such as a cord, webbing, bungee, chain, clip, carabiner, or other tensile load carrying device, can be passed to interconnect the inflatable platform to an interconnection point 1300 of a second inflatable platform. Alternate embodiments comprise an interconnection point comprising devices commonly referred to as lashing pots, such as cloverleaf lashing pots which allow lashing with a device commonly referred to as an elephant's foot, or a cleat. Other alternate embodiments comprise an interconnection point comprising a webbing strap and buckle or snap. Alternate embodiments comprising interconnection points known in the state of the art are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0043] Certain embodiments comprise an inflatable platform 1000 having a magnetic connection apparatus 1400 configured to receive and interconnect with drinkware and other ferrous objects as disclosed in the '845 application and the '504 application. An inflatable platform of such embodiments comprises at least one magnetic connection apparatus interconnected with the top surface 1010 of the inflatable platform. Certain embodiments comprise an inflatable platform comprising a plurality of magnetic connection apparatus 1300 distributed about the top surface 1010 of the inflatable platform.
[0044] Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise an inflatable platform 1000 having a top surface 1010, a bottom surface 1020, and an inflatable chamber 1150 therebetween having a thickness 1100. The inflatable platform 1000 further comprises a recess 1500 offset from a perimeter 1050 of the inflatable platform. The recess 1500 of certain embodiments (FIG. 1B) is located centrally in relation to the perimeter 1050 of the inflatable platform. The recess 1500 extends from the top surface 1010 to the bottom surface of the inflatable platform, wherein the bottom 1520 of the recess comprises a membrane 1550. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface 1020 and membrane 1550 are contiguous. In other embodiments, the membrane 1550 is interconnected to the bottom surface 1020. The bottom of the recess 1500 of certain embodiments is coincident with the bottom surface 1020 of the inflatable platform wherein the depth of the recess is equal to the thickness 1100 of the inflatable platform. In alternate embodiments, the bottom 1020 of the recess is offset from the bottom surface 1020 of the inflatable platform wherein the depth of the recess is less than the thickness 1100 of the inflatable platform or the depth of the recess is more than the thickness 1100 of the inflatable platform. Alternate embodiments wherein the recess 1500 comprises a thru-hole extending from the top surface 1010 of the inflatable platform to the bottom surface 1020 of the inflatable platform are also within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In certain embodiments comprising a recess 1500, the bottom 1520 of the recess comprises at least one aperture 1560 wherein water captured in the recess is permitted to drain from the recess in a process commonly referred to as “self-bailing.”
[0045] The recess 1500 of certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1B for example, comprises a circular form. Alternative embodiments comprise a recess 1500 having a polygonal form, or other shapes as desired, are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In certain embodiments the recess is configured to receive a cooler, such as disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. D812,981 (“the '981 patent”) incorporated by reference herein for all purposes, while in alternate embodiments the recess can be configured to receive alternative objects as desired.
[0046] Certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1E for example, comprise an inflatable platform having a circular perimeter 1050. Alternate embodiments comprising inflatable platforms 1000 having alternate perimetral shapes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Inflatable platforms having perimetral forms which are regular polygons, equilateral polygons, and equiangular polygons are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, irregular shapes and irregular polygonal shapes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0047] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A for example, the interconnection of a first inflatable platform 1000 with a second inflatable platform 1000′ results in continuous contact between a portion of the perimeter 1050 of the first inflatable platform and a portion of the perimeter 1050′ of the second inflatable platform.
[0048] Certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3A-FIG. 3B for example, comprise an arced shaped inflatable platform 2000 wherein a first side 2010 of the perimeter of the inflatable platform comprises an internal perimetral aspect 2080. Although a first side 2010 comprising a constant radius arc is shown, embodiments comprising an internal perimetral aspect 2080 having a polygonal or variable radius arc shape are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B, a portion of the perimeter 1050 of a first inflatable platform 1000 is configured to be received by and interconnect with a second inflatable platform 1000′ having an internal perimetral aspect 2080. The perimeter 1050 of the first inflatable platform comprises an external perimetral aspect 1070.
[0049] Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise an arced inflatable platform 2000 having an arced internal perimetral aspect 2080, an arced external perimetral aspect 2070, and linear aspects 2090 extending therebetween. In certain embodiments, as shown, the linear aspects 2090 are orthogonal to the internal perimetral aspect 2080 and the external perimetral aspect 2070. The arced internal perimetral aspect 2080 is configured to interconnect with a circular inflatable platform 1000 (as shown in FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B) resulting in substantially continuous contact between the internal perimetral aspect 2080 of the arced inflatable platform and a portion of the perimeter 1050 of the circular inflatable platform. It will be appreciated that the drop-stitch construction of the inflatable platforms will result in shapes that are imperfect such that there may be small gaps between interconnected inflatable platforms, but that the two inflatable platforms will be in substantially continuous contact along the internal and external perimetral aspects.
[0050] In certain embodiments the arced inflatable platform 2000 comprises an internal perimetral aspect 2080 having an arc-angle which is a mathematical factor of 360 degrees, wherein a plurality of arced inflatable platforms 2000 are configured to fully surround the circular inflatable platform 1000. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 3A and 5A, at least one interconnection point 1300 is interconnected to the inflatable platform within the chord 2081 of the internal perimetral aspect 2080. In a preferred embodiment, the interconnection point 1300 is interconnected to a first inflatable platform 1000 at the apex of the external perimetral aspect 1070 of the first inflatable platform 1000, and a corresponding interconnection point 1300 is interconnected to a second inflatable platform 1000′ at the apex of the nesting internal perimetral aspect 2080. A deviation from the exact apex is acceptable so long as the interconnection points 1300 are within about 5 to 10 degrees or about 6 to 12 inches from the precise apex location. A deviation from the exact apex is acceptable so long as the interconnection points 1300 are within about 5 to 10 degrees or about 6 to 12 inches from the precise apex location. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, at least two interconnection points 1300 are interconnected to the second inflatable platform within the chord 2081 of the internal perimetral aspect 2080. A first inflatable platform would have corresponding interconnection points along the external perimetral aspect.
[0051] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A-FIG. 3C for example, an arced inflatable platform 2000 comprises an internal perimetral aspect 2080 having an arc-angle 2030 of about 120 degrees wherein the second inflatable platform 2000 is configured to interconnect with a first circular inflatable platform 1000, wherein three second inflatable platforms interconnected with the first circular inflatable platform 1000 will result in fully surrounding the circular inflatable platform.
[0052] As will be appreciated, the second inflatable platforms may have arc-angles that are mathematical factors of 360 degrees that, when interconnected together, would form a surrounding inflatable platform encircling a first inflatable platform. For example, and without limitation: a second inflatable platform having an arc-angle of about 270 degrees and a second inflatable platform having an arc-angle of about 90 degrees; two second inflatable platforms each having an arc-angle of about 180 degrees; three second inflatable platforms each having an arc-angle of about 120 degrees; four second inflatable platforms each having an arc-angle of about 90 degrees; a second inflatable platform having an arc-angle of about 180 degrees and two second inflatable platforms each having an arc-angle of about 90 degrees; a second inflatable platform having an arc-angle of about 240 degrees and a second inflatable platform having an arc-angle of about 120 degrees; or a single second inflatable platform having an arc-angle of about 360 degrees. As will also be appreciated, the first inflatable platform and the encircling second inflatable platform(s) may have other shapes beside the arcuate shapes shown in FIG. 2A-FIG. 3C. Additionally, the precise arc-angle of the second inflatable platform may be somewhat more or less than a standard mathematical factor of 360 degrees due to manufacturing tolerances or intentional design decisions. For example, a second inflatable platform having an arc-angle of about 120 degrees may be manufactured having an actual measured arc-angle that is about 1 to 5 degrees less than 120 degrees, resulting in some play in the fitting of the second inflatable platforms around the first inflatable platform. These tolerances ensure that the sum of arc-angles of the encircling second inflatable platforms will not exceed 360 degrees while maintaining close interconnections that will tend to prevent the arm or leg of a user from slipping through the interconnection between two inflatable platforms.
[0053] As will also be appreciated, the second inflatable platform or platforms need not entirely encircle the first inflatable platform. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the circular inflatable platform 1000 may be interconnected to and only partially encircled by a second inflatable platform 4000. Or additional second inflatable platforms 4000 may be interconnected to the circular inflatable platform 1000 to partially or fully surround the circular inflatable platform 1000.
[0054] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4A-FIG. 4C for example, an arced inflatable platform 3000 comprises an internal perimetral aspect 3080 having an arc-angle of less than 360 degrees. In certain embodiments, an arced inflatable platform comprises an internal perimetral aspect having an arc-angle 3030 of 240 degrees. Accordingly, an arced inflatable platform 3000 having an internal perimetral aspect having an arc-angle of 240 degrees, and an arced inflatable platform 2000 (FIG. 3A-FIG. 3C) having an arc-angle 2030 of 120 degrees interconnected with a circular inflatable platform 1000 results in fully surrounding the circular inflatable platform 1000. It will also be appreciated that the arced inflatable platform 3000 having an internal perimetral aspect having an arc-angle of 240 degrees would encircle a circular first inflatable platform 1000 to a degree sufficient to encapsulate the first inflatable platform 1000 and help prevent it from disengaging with the arced inflatable platform 3000 in a lateral direction, even when the two platforms are not interconnected using the interconnection points 1300.
[0055] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5A-FIG. 5C, an inflatable platform 4000 comprises a rectangular shape 4050. In certain embodiments a rectangular inflatable platform comprises a side with an internal perimetral aspect 4080. For instance, as shown, the side of certain embodiments comprises a concave form configured to interconnect with an inflatable platform having an external perimetral aspect. For instance, the internal perimetral aspect 4080 as shown is configured to interconnect with a circular inflatable platform 1000 resulting in substantially continuous contact between the rectangular inflatable platform 4000 and the circular inflatable platform 1000.
[0056] In certain embodiments of the present invention, shown in FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C for example, an inflatable platform 5000 comprises internal and external perimetral aspects in the form of an L-shaped perimeter 5050. In certain embodiments such as shown in FIG. 7A, the interconnection of an L-shaped internal perimetral aspect of inflatable platform 5000 with the external perimetral aspect of second inflatable platform, such as a circular inflatable platform 1000, results in two points of contact between the inflatable platforms. In alternate embodiments such as shown in FIG. 7B, the interconnection of an L-shaped internal perimetral aspect of inflatable platform 5000 with the external perimetral aspect of second inflatable platform, such as a rectangular inflatable platform 4000, results in the L-shaped inflatable platform 5000 having at least one side with substantially continuous contact with the second inflatable platform. In certain embodiments such as shown in FIG. 7B, an L-shaped inflatable platform 5000 is interconnected with a rectangular shaped inflatable platform 4000 wherein the L-shaped inflatable platform 5000 has substantially continuous contact with two sides of the rectangular shaped inflatable platform 4000. In further embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 7C, a first L-shaped inflatable platform 5000 is interconnected with a second L-shaped inflatable platform 5000 wherein the L-shaped inflatable platforms have 3 sides with substantially continuous contact. As shown in FIG. 7A-7C, the inflatable platforms may be interconnected using one or more interconnection points 1300.
[0057] In certain embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C, an inflatable platform comprises an inflatable bolster 6000 having a circular cross-section 6050. The bolster 6000 is configured to interconnect with a top surface 1010 of the inflatable platform. In certain embodiments the bolster 6000 comprises a linear form, while alternative embodiments comprises an arced form such as shown in FIG. 3A-FIG. 4C. In certain embodiments, the bolster 6000 is interconnect with a top surface 1010 by a rail and track 6600 such as shown and described by FIG. 6 of the '337 application.
[0058] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5A-FIG. 5C, an inflatable platform comprises an inflatable backrest 6500 configured to interconnect with a top surface 1010 of an inflatable platform wherein the backrest 6500 is configured to be hingedly affixed to the top surface of the inflatable platform, allowing the angle 6530 between the backrest 6500 and the top surface 1010 of the inflatable platform to be adjusted between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. In certain embodiments the backrest 6500 is fixed in the desired position using a first tether 6540 and a second tether 6540 which interconnect with interconnection points 1400 interconnected with the inflatable platform 4000. In certain embodiments, the backrest 6500 is hingedly affixed to the top surface of the inflatable platform by a rail and track 6600 such as shown and described by FIG. 6 of the '337 application.
[0059] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.
