SHARK DETERRENT SWIM FLOAT

Abstract

A shark deterrent swim float may be used by bathers for floatation andin the event of an approaching sharkas a shark deterrent. The shark deterrent swim float may be used as a barrier between bather and shark and may be used as a prod to ward off an approaching shark.

Claims

1. A floatation device for assisting bathers and deterring sharks, the device comprising: a soft sleeve for gripping and buoyancy; hard end caps for striking a shark; and a rigid core to stiffen the device.

2. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the soft sleeve is fabricated from polyethylene foam.

3. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the hard end caps are fabricated from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

4. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the rigid core is fabricated from PVC.

5. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the soft sleeve and rigid core may be disassembled using a screw connection into two parts for easy transportation.

6. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein one of the hard end caps may be removed to fill the device with a beverage.

7. A method of shark deterrence, the method comprising the steps of: pointing the device at the approaching shark to create a barrier between the bather and the shark, and poking the shark on the nose, eye or gills when it is near.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a representation of the present invention being used to deter a shark attack. Item 10 is a bather, Item 12 is the current invention, item 14 is a shark, item 16 is the soft outer sleeve and item 18 are the hard end caps.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a representation of the present invention. Item 16 is the soft outer sleeve and item 18 are the hard end caps.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a closeup of one end of the present invention indicating section A-A depicted in FIG. 4. Item 16 is the soft outer sleeve, Item 18 is the hard end cap, Item 20 is the rigid core.

[0013] FIG. 4 is Section A-A, a cross-sectional drawing of one of the ends of the present invention. Item 16 is the soft outer sleeve, Item 18 is the hard end cap and Item 20 is the rigid core.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A swim float 12 is disclosed herein which may be used by a bather 10 as a deterrent for sharks 14. The floatation device 12 benefits the bather 10 by providing floatation when no sharks 14 are near, and a means of shark defense in the presence of a shark 14.

[0015] It is advisable to use a weapon to ward off a shark 14 and avoid using hands or feet. Accordingly, the present invention is a floatation device 12 for bathers 10 which provides the added benefit of being a weapon to ward off sharks 14. The drawings referred to herein are for the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the present invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, the present invention is a floatation device 12 comprised of a long rigid buoyant cylinder made up of a soft sleeve 16 with hard end caps 18. The soft sleeve 16 provides comfort and buoyancy while making the floatation device 12 easy to grip when used as a shark 14 weapon. The hard end caps 18 irritate an approaching shark 14 when the floatation device 12 is used like a spear to prod the shark 14.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 3, the hard end caps 18 are connected to a rigid core 20. The rigid core 20 stiffens the floatation device 12, allowing it to be used as a prod or spear.

[0018] In one embodiment the soft sleeve 16 is made of polyethylene foam, the rigid core 20 is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe and the end caps 18 are made of PVC fittings.

[0019] In another embodiment, the invention provides a rigid core 20 and soft sleeve 16 in two sections with a PVC screw fitting in the center, allowing the two halves to be assembled prior to a bather 10 entering the water. This embodiment provides for easy transportation of the floatation device 12.

[0020] In another embodiment, the one of the end caps 18 is a removable screw fitting allowing the filling of the invention with a beverage for the enjoyment and use of the bather 10.

[0021] The net effect of the combination of components in the present invention is a comfortable buoyant floatation device 12 for bathers 10 that also serves as a shark 14 deterrent.

[0022] The above descriptions are given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosures, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.