US2005268837A1PendingUtilityA1

Inflating watercraft flotation device

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Assignee: MEARS TONY WPriority: Jun 10, 2003Filed: Jun 8, 2004Published: Dec 8, 2005
Est. expiryJun 10, 2023(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Tony W. Mears
B63B 7/08B63B 34/00B63B 43/04B63B 35/34B63B 43/14
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Claims

Abstract

A flotation system for floating a vessel in the water is provided. The flotation system comprises a first flotation bladder and a second flotation bladder. A first edge material extends substantially along the length of the first flotation bladder and a second edge material extends substantially along the length of the second flotation bladder. A plurality of aligned apertures are spaced along the first edge material and the second edge material. A spacing device is receivable between corresponding aligned apertures of the first edge material and the second edge material for maintaining a spacing between the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder. An inflation mechanism inflates the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A flotation system for floating a vessel in the water, the flotation system comprising: 
 a first flotation bladder;    a second flotation bladder;    a first edge material extending substantially along the length of the first flotation bladder;    a second edge material extending substantially along the length of the second flotation bladder;    a plurality of aligned apertures spaced along the first edge material and the second edge material;    spacing means receivable between corresponding aligned apertures of the first edge material and the second edge material for maintaining a spacing between the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder; and    inflation means for inflating the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder.    
   
   
       2 . The flotation system of  claim 1  wherein the size and shape of the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder are substantially identical to each other.  
   
   
       3 . The flotation system of  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 more than two flotation bladders.    
   
   
       4 . The flotation system of  claim 1  wherein the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder are constructed from a substantially puncture-resistant material.  
   
   
       5 . The flotation system of  claim 1  wherein the first edge material and the second edge material are secured to the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder, respectively, by stitching.  
   
   
       6 . The flotation system of  claim 1  wherein the spacing means is a strap.  
   
   
       7 . The flotation system of  claim 6  wherein the strap is adjustable and further comprising: 
 a mechanism for lengthening and reducing the distance between the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder.    
   
   
       8 . The flotation system of  claim 1  wherein the spacing means is a sheet of material extending between the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder.  
   
   
       9 . The flotation system of  claim 1  wherein the inflation means is a gas tank and compressor, with the gas tank being filled with a propellant.  
   
   
       10 . The flotation system of  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 a first gas line fluidly connecting the inflation means to the first flotation bladder; and    a second gas line fluidly connecting the first flotation bladder to the second flotation bladder.    
   
   
       11 . The flotation system of  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 a container, the first flotation bladder, the second flotation bladder, and the inflation means being receivable within the container.    
   
   
       12 . The flotation system of  claim 12  wherein the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder are foldable into a substantially spiral configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The flotation system of  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 weight means for submerging the flotation bladders when in an uninflated condition.    
   
   
       14 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A flotation device for floating a vessel in the water, the flotation device comprising: 
 a first flotation bladder;    a second flotation bladder;    spacing means between the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder for maintaining a spacing between the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder; and    inflation means for inflating the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder.    
   
   
       22 . The flotation device of  claim 21  wherein the spacing means includes a first edge material extending substantially along the length of the first flotation bladder, a second edge material extending substantially along the length of the second flotation bladder, a plurality of aligned apertures spaced along the first edge material and the second edge material, and at least one strap receivable within the apertures connecting the first flotation bladder to the second flotation bladder.  
   
   
       23 . The flotation device of  claim 22  wherein the strap is adjustable and further comprising: 
 a mechanism for lengthening and reducing the distance between the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder.    
   
   
       24 . The flotation device of  claim 21  wherein the spacing means is a sheet of material extending between the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder.  
   
   
       25 . The flotation device of  claim 21  and further comprising: 
 more than two flotation bladders.    
   
   
       26 . The flotation device of  claim 21  wherein the inflation means is a gas tank and compressor, with the gas tank being filled with a gas.  
   
   
       27 . The flotation device of  claim 21  and further comprising: 
 a first gas line fluidly connecting the inflation means to the first flotation bladder; and    a second gas line fluidly connecting the first flotation bladder to the second flotation bladder.    
   
   
       28 . The flotation device of  claim 21  and further comprising: 
 a container, the first flotation bladder, the second flotation bladder, and the inflation means being receivable within the container.    
   
   
       29 . The flotation device of  claim 21  and further comprising: 
 weight means for submerging the flotation bladders when in an uninflated condition.

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