WATER WINDOW APPARATUS

Abstract

A water window apparatus including a main water window element, and a plurality of retaining flanges, along with interlocking teeth that fixedly communicate with one another to fixedly retain the main water window there between. The main water window is hollow, as well as monolithic and hermetically sealed to maintain its integral buoyancy, and further has a top that includes a magnifying element that imparts magnification when viewed therethrough.

Claims

1. A water window apparatus configured to be used with a sports water board, said water window apparatus comprising: a water window assembly comprising: a) a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element, wherein said main window element comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface and said bottom surface form a main body of said main window element; b) a plurality of retaining flanges, wherein said plurality of retaining flanges further comprises: a) flared top rings and flared bottom rings, wherein said flared top rings and said flared bottom rings further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals; and b) interlocking teeth distal to said flared top rings and said flared bottom rings; and c) a magnifying element, wherein said magnifying element adjoins at least one of said top surface or said bottom surface of said main window element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnifying element adjoins said top surface of said main window element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnifying element adjoins said bottom surface of said main window element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnifying element adjoins both said top surface and said bottom surface of said main window element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnifying element comprises a convex lens or a Fresnel configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring are geometric mirrors of one another.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said water sports board is selected from the group consisting of a bodyboard, paddleboard, and a surfboard.

8. A water window apparatus configured to be used with a sports water board, said water window apparatus comprising: a water window assembly comprising: a) a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element, wherein said main window element comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface and said bottom surface form a main body of said main window element; b) two retaining flanges, wherein each one of said two retaining flanges further comprises: a) a flared top ring and a flared bottom ring, wherein said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals; and b) interlocking teeth distal to said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring; and wherein said main window element is fixedly retained in said sports water board through the communication of said interlocking teeth proximal to said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring of said two retaining flanges, whereby said interlocking teeth of said flared top ring of said two retaining flanges fixedly interlock with said interlocking teeth of said flared bottom ring of said two retaining flanges; wherein said o-ring channel seals retained in said o-ring channels extend around the circumference of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring of said two retaining flanges to create a watertight seal when firmly seated and under compression from engaged interlocking of said interlocking teeth of the distally extending portions of said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring of said two retaining flanges, and wherein the inner diameter of each one of said two retaining flange is dimensioned to accommodate the outer diameter of said main window element, such that said main window element can nest and be bound by said inner diameter and said flared top of each one of said two retaining flanges and by said inner diameter and said flared bottom of each one of said two retaining flanges, wherein said main window element extends from said flared top ring of each one of said two retaining flanges to said flared bottom ring of each one of said two retaining flanges; and c) a magnifying element, wherein said magnifying element adjoins at least one of said top surface or said bottom surface of said main window element.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said magnifying element adjoins said top surface of said main window element.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said magnifying element adjoins said bottom surface of said main window element.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said magnifying element adjoins both said top surface and said bottom surface of said main window element.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said magnifying element comprises a convex lens or a Fresnel configuration.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring are geometric mirrors of one another.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said water sports board is selected from the group consisting of a bodyboard, paddleboard, and a surfboard.

15. A water window apparatus configured to be used with a sports water board, said water window apparatus comprising: a water window assembly comprising: a) a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element, wherein said main window element comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface and said bottom surface form a main body of said main window element; b) two retaining flanges, wherein each one of said two retaining flanges further comprises: a) a flared top ring and a flared bottom ring, wherein said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals; and b) interlocking teeth distal to said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring; and wherein said main window element is fixedly retained in said sports water board through the communication of said interlocking teeth proximal to said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring of said two retaining flanges, whereby said interlocking teeth of said flared top ring of said two retaining flanges fixedly interlock with said interlocking teeth of said flared bottom ring of said two retaining flanges; wherein said o-ring channel seals retained in said o-ring channels extend around the circumference of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring of said two retaining flanges to create a watertight seal when firmly seated and under compression from engaged interlocking of said interlocking teeth of the distally extending portions of said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring of said two retaining flanges, and wherein the inner diameter of each one of said two retaining flange is dimensioned to accommodate the outer diameter of said main window element, such that said main window element can nest and be bound by said inner diameter and said flared top of each one of said two retaining flanges and by said inner diameter and said flared bottom of each one of said two retaining flanges, wherein said main window element extends from said flared top ring of each one of said two retaining flanges to said flared bottom ring of each one of said two retaining flanges; and c) a magnifying element, wherein said magnifying element adjoins both said top surface and said bottom surface of said main window element.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said magnifying element adjoins said top surface of said main window element.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said magnifying element adjoins said bottom surface of said main window element.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said magnifying element comprises a convex lens or a Fresnel configuration.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said flared top ring and said flared bottom ring are geometric mirrors of one another.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said water sports board is selected from the group consisting of a bodyboard, paddleboard, and a surfboard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0030] FIG. 1 graphically illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a water window apparatus integrated into a water board in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 graphically illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a water window apparatus integrated into a water board in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 3, as an exemplary embodiment, is a cross-sectional view taken on line A-A of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 4, as an exemplary embodiment, graphically illustrates a close-up, cross-sectional view taken of region B of FIG. 3.

[0034] FIG. 5, as an exemplary embodiment, graphically illustrates a finer detail, mirror image close-up, cross-sectional detail view of region B of FIG. 3.

[0035] FIG. 6, as an exemplary embodiment, graphically illustrates a finer detailed cross-sectional view taken on Line A-A of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] A water window apparatus is designed and manufactured to provide water sports board users the unobscured and magnified view of the underwater environment immediately beneath a surface water sports board. When integrated into a surface water sports board, such as a bodyboard, a paddleboard or a surfboard, the water window apparatus opens-up the underwater world and its sea life, especially abundant in the tidal zones where aforementioned boards are frequently used. In addition, the water window apparatus allows the user quicker notice of possible dangers lurking beneath when aforementioned boards are operated in deep water.

[0037] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. As used herein, the word exemplary means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Thus, any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described herein are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention that is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the following detailed description.

[0038] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term water sports board is intended to include sports board. Therefore, the terms water sports board, and sports board, may be used interchangeably.

[0039] In this description, reference is made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated with like reference numerals throughout. As used in the description herein and throughout, the meaning of a, an, and said includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of in includes into and on, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0040] As used herein, the term about in conjunction with a numeral refers to a range of that numeral starting from 10% below the absolute of the numeral to 10% above the absolute of the numeral, inclusive.

[0041] An exemplary configuration is schematically depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which a water window apparatus 10 is designed and adapted to be used in connection with water sports board 80. In an embodiment, water sports board 80 comprises a top surface 5 and a bottom surface (not shown). In one or more other exemplary embodiments, water window apparatus 10 is used in a bodyboard, a stand-up or prone paddleboard, or a surfboard. In one embodiment, water window apparatus 10 includes water widow assembly 20. In an embodiment, water window assembly 20 includes a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element 30 to maintain water sports board 80 integral buoyancy, and a plurality of retaining flanges 40. In an embodiment, main window element 30 further comprises a top surface (not shown) and a bottom surface (not shown) that form a main body of the main window element 30. In one embodiment, the top surface of the main window element 30 further comprises a magnifying element 70 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0042] In an embodiment, main window element 30 is manufactured from clear thermoplastic materials. In other embodiments, examples of material of construction include polycarbonate, acrylic, or and combination of the aforementioned materials. In another embodiment, a plurality of retaining flanges 40 are manufactured from suitably rigid and strong materials. Other examples of material of construction include engineering thermoplastics, polycarbonate, acetal, polyester, nylon, blends, or any combination of the aforementioned materials. A skilled person in the art will be readily able to select a suitable material of construction for main window element 30 and retaining flanges 40 based on the operating conditions and requirements in the configurations contemplated herein.

[0043] In one embodiment, magnifying element 70 adjoins at least one of the top surface of the main window element 30 or the bottom surface of the main window element 30. In another exemplary embodiment, magnifying element 70 adjoins the top surface of the main window element 30. In still another embodiment, magnifying element 70 adjoins said bottom surface of said main window element 30. In yet another embodiment, magnifying element 70 adjoins both the top surface and the bottom surface of main window element 30.

[0044] In another embodiment, magnifying element 70 is fixedly attached to main window element 30, by adhesive, solvent bonding, spin welding, or heat welding, and other physical and/or chemical boding means/methods known in the art.

[0045] In one embodiment, magnifying element 70 may comprise conventional convex lens geometry. In another embodiment, magnifying element 70 may comprise a Fresnel configuration to reduce weight, cost and complexity of magnifying element 70. A skilled person in the art will be readily able to select a suitable material of construction for magnifying element 70 based on the operating conditions and requirements in the configurations contemplated herein.

[0046] In one embodiment, plurality of retaining flanges 40 further comprise a flared top ring and a flared bottom ring (not shown), wherein the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring are geometric mirrors of one another. In another embodiment, a plurality of retaining flanges 40 further comprise interlocking teeth 50 distal to the flared top and the flared bottom rings of retaining flanges 40. In one embodiment, the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of retaining flanges 40 further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels (not shown) and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals 60 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). In an exemplary embodiment, o-ring channels and corresponding o-ring channel seals 60 comprise chloroprene (neoprene), buna-n, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), silicone, or polyurethane.

[0047] In another embodiment, main window element 30 is fixedly retained in sports board 80 through the communication of interlocking teeth 50 proximal to the flared top rings and the flared bottom rings of retaining flanges 40, whereby interlocking teeth 50 of flared top ring of retaining flange 40, located at top of sports board 80, fixedly interlocks with interlocking teeth 50 of flared bottom ring of retaining flange 40, located at the bottom of sports board 80 (as shown in FIGS. 4,5 & 6).

[0048] In one embodiment, the inner diameter of retaining flange 40 is dimensioned to accommodate the outer diameter of main window element 30, such that main window element 30 can nest and be bound by the inner diameter and the flared top ring of retaining flange 40 and by the inner diameter and the flared bottom ring of retaining flange 40, where main window element 30 extends from the flared top ring of the retaining flange 40, located at the top of sports board 80, to the flared bottom ring of retaining flange 40, located at the bottom of sports board 80.

[0049] In another embodiment, o-ring channel seals 60 retained in o-ring channels extend around the circumference of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of flange retainer 40 to create a watertight seal when firmly seated and under compression from engaged interlocking of the interlocking teeth 50 of the distally extending portions of the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of retaining flange 40 (as shown in FIG. 6).

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, sports board 80 comprises first end 80a and second end 80b. In one embodiment, water window assembly 20 is located closer to first end 80a than second end 80b of sports board 80, such that a user can easily observe the underwater environment (as shown in FIG. 1) by laying, kneeling or standing on the sports board. A skilled person in the art will readily appreciate the proper position of water window assembly for different sports boards of different dimensions.

[0051] In an embodiment, the location of water window assembly 20 depends on the sports board style. In an exemplary embodiment, main water window element 30 is positioned well forward on sports board so that it is in a convenient place for the user's viewing. In another exemplary embodiment, man window element 30 is of a size such that it is sufficiently large enough for providing convenient access to the user's ability to view underwater. For example, in an embodiment, main water window element 30 is about 6 inches in diameter to about 15 inches in diameter. One of ordinary skill in the art can envision other dimensions, which may vary with the type of water sports board or a typical board but not detract from the spirit of the invention.

[0052] Thus, specific embodiments of a water window apparatus have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms comprises and comprising should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.