Abstract
The present invention is directed to an inflatable and floatable modular platform system wherein certain embodiments comprise an adjustable back-rest. The inflatable platform system of the present disclosure includes floating elements of differing 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 apparatus comprising: a first inflatable platform comprising a top surface; an inflatable back-rest comprising a bottom aspect, the bottom aspect comprising a hinged connection to the top surface of the inflatable platform; a first tether interconnected between the first inflatable platform and a first side of the back-rest; and a second tether interconnected between the first inflatable platform and a second side of the back-rest, wherein the first and second tethers are configured to maintain the back-rest at a desired angle from the first inflatable platform.
2. The inflatable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinged connection further comprises: a female portion comprising a longitudinal hollow form and a longitudinal slot; and a male portion interconnected to a tensile member, wherein the male portion is configured to be slidably received by the hollow form of the female portion, and wherein the tensile member is configured to be received by the slot of the female portion.
3. The inflatable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinged connection further comprises a polymeric sheet material.
4. The inflatable apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tensile member comprises a flexible material which interconnects the male feature to the bottom aspect of the back-rest, and wherein the female feature is interconnected with the top surface of the first inflatable platform.
5. The inflatable apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tensile member comprises a flexible material which interconnects the male feature to the top surface of the first inflatable platform, and wherein the female feature is interconnected to the bottom aspect of the back-rest.
6. The inflatable apparatus of claim 2, wherein the back-rest is removably interconnected with the first inflatable platform.
7. The inflatable apparatus of claim 4, wherein the male feature comprises a round cross-sectional profile, and wherein the female feature comprises a round cross-sectional profile configured to receive the male feature therein.
8. The inflatable apparatus of claim 5, wherein the male feature comprises a round cross-sectional profile, and wherein the female feature comprises a round cross-sectional profile configured to receive the male feature therein.
9. The inflatable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first inflatable platform comprises a first external perimetral aspect adapted to nest with an internal perimetral aspect of a second inflatable platform.
10. The inflatable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first inflatable platform comprises a first internal perimetral aspect adapted to nest with an external perimetral aspect of a second inflatable platform.
11. The inflatable apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first external perimetral aspect is located at a forward aspect of the inflatable platform.
12. The inflatable apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first external perimetral aspect is located at a rearward aspect of the inflatable platform.
13. The inflatable apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first external perimetral aspect comprises an interconnection point adapted to interconnect with an interconnection point of the internal perimetral aspect of the second inflatable platform.
14. The inflatable apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first internal perimetral aspect is located at a forward aspect of the inflatable platform.
15. The inflatable apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first internal perimetral aspect is located at a rearward aspect of the inflatable platform.
16. The inflatable apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first internal perimetral aspect comprises an interconnection point adapted to interconnect with an interconnection point of the external perimetral aspect of the second inflatable platform.
17. The inflatable apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic connection apparatus interconnected to a top surface of the first inflatable platform.
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
[0039] FIG. 8A—A top view of certain embodiments comprising a first inflatable platform configured to interconnect with a second inflatable platform
[0040] FIG. 8B—A perspective view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0041] FIG. 8C—A side view of certain embodiments comprising an inflatable platform
[0042] FIG. 8D—A detail view of the inflatable platform shown in FIG. 8C
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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. Alternate embodiments comprising alternate construction strategies known in the prior art are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0045] 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 methods of enhancing grip known in the existing state of the art.
[0046] Certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1B for example, comprise an inflatable platform 1000 comprising at least one lashing point 1300 interconnected to a top surface 1010 of the inflatable platform. Alternate embodiments comprising a lashing point 1300 interconnected to the perimeter 1050 of the inflatable platform are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The lashing point 1300 comprises an aperture wherethrough a tether, such as a rope or other flexible tensile load carrying device, can be passed to interconnect the inflatable platform to a structure or second inflatable platform. Alternate embodiments comprise a lashing 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. Alternate embodiments comprising lashing points known in the state of the art are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0047] Certain embodiments comprise an inflatable platform 1000 having a magnetic connection apparatus 1400 configured to receive and interconnect with drinkware and other 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.
[0048] 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. 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. 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 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.”
[0049] 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 to Cory Cooper (“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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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 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. 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, wherein a plurality of arced inflatable platforms 2000 are configured to fully surround the circular inflatable platform 1000.
[0054] 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 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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 a 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 continuous contact between the rectangular inflatable platform 4000 and the circular inflatable platform 1000.
[0057] In certain embodiments of the present invention, shown in FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C for example, an inflatable platform 5000 comprises an L-shaped perimeter 5050. In certain embodiments such as shown in FIG. 7A, the interconnection of an L-shaped inflatable platform 5000 with a 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, an L-shaped inflatable platform 5000 is interconnected with a second inflatable platform, such as a rectangular inflatable platform 4000, resulting in the L-shaped inflatable platform 5000 having at least one side with 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 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 continuous contact.
[0058] 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.
[0059] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5A-FIG. 5C and FIG. 8A-FIG. 8C, an inflatable platform comprises a back-rest 6500 configured to interconnect with a top surface 1010 of an inflatable platform wherein the back-rest 6500 is configured to be hingedly affixed to the top surface of the inflatable platform, allowing the angle 6530 between the back-rest 6500 and the top surface 1010 of the inflatable platform to be adjusted between about 0-degrees and 180-degrees. In certain embodiments the backrest 6500 is fixed in the desired position using a first tether 6540 interconnected to a first side 6501 of the back-rest and a second tether 6540 interconnected with a second side 6502 of the back-rest wherein the tethers are configured to interconnect with interconnection points 1300 interconnected with the inflatable platform 4000. The tethers 6540 are configured to constrain the back-rest to a desired angle 6530.
[0060] In certain embodiments, the inflatable platform as shown in FIG. 5A-5C comprises an internal perimetral aspect 4080 located at a forward aspect of inflatable platform 4000 and forward of the back-rest 6500. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8A-FIG. 8B for instance, an internal perimetral aspect 4080 is located at a rearward aspect of inflatable platform 4000 and rearward of the back-rest 6500. In certain embodiments the back rest 6500 is removably interconnected to the inflatable platform 4000 wherein the back-rest 6500 can be removed or reconfigured between a configuration wherein a front aspect 6510 of the back-rest faces a first end 4010 of the inflatable platform, and a configuration wherein the front aspect 6510 of the seat-back faces a second end 4020 of the inflatable platform.
[0061] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8C-FIG. 8D for instance, a bottom aspect 6520 of the seat-back is interconnected with a top surface 4015 of the inflatable platform. In certain embodiments the back-rest comprises an interconnection point 6600 with the inflatable platform. In certain embodiments the interconnection point 6600 comprises a living hinge or other flexible connection with the inflatable platform, such as a polymeric sheet material. Polymeric sheet materials as discussed herein include, without limitation, PVC, urethane, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber. In certain embodiments the interconnection point 6600 is elongated along the bottom aspect of the seat-back.
[0062] In certain embodiments the interconnection point 6600 comprises a hinged interconnection 6650 between the back-rest and the inflatable platform comprising a male feature 6660 and a female feature 6670, wherein the male feature 6660 is configured to be slidably received within the female feature 6670. In certain embodiments male feature 6660 and a female feature 6670 are elongated.
[0063] In certain embodiments, female feature 6670 comprises a hollow form and a longitudinal slot 6675 wherethrough a tensile member 6665 such as a flexible sheet material can be disposed, wherein the tensile member 6665 interconnects between the male feature 6660 of the hinged connection and the bottom aspect 6520 of the back-rest. Embodiments shown herein demonstrate the female feature 6670 interconnected with the top surface 4015 of the inflatable platform and the male feature 6660 interconnected with the back-rest 6500. However, embodiments wherein the back-rest 6500 is interconnected with the female feature 6670 and wherein the male feature 6660 is interconnected with the top surface 4015 of the inflatable platform are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. As shown, in certain embodiments the male feature 6660 comprises a round cross-section and the female feature comprises a round cross-section configured to receive the male feature. However, the male feature 6660 and the female feature 6670 are not limited to round cross-sectional profiles and alternate cross-sectional profiles, such as square, rectangular, or triangular, are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0064] 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.
