US1503624A - Float - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 5 1924. 1,503,624

C. W. BAUMA'N ET AL FLOAT Filed Sept. 29, 1923 Clay-lea WBauman Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICJE.

, CHARLES W. BAUMAN AND FRANK GRUBER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

FLOAT.

Application filed September 29, 1923. Serial No. 665,520.

TodZZ whom itmag concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES W. BAU- MAN and FRANK GRUBER, citizens of the i, United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Floats, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is directed to improvements in floats for useby swimmers or beginners.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a floatof this nature so constructed that it will sustain a person in the Water and can be propelled so the person using the same can move from place to place.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character so constructed that it can be folded into compact form for transportation or storage, the construction being such that when in use the liability of the device becoming detached from the person using the same is positively eliminated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide additional pontoons which can be attached to the device to increase the buoyancy thereof should it be desired.

With these and other objects inview, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts, and hereinafter to be fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation,

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the heads of the sections,

Figure 5 is a detail view partly in section of one of the detachable pontoons, and

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing a slightly modified form of the invention.

The device consists of a substantially U shaped body 1, said body being formed from a pair of sections 2, said sections being formed from suitable metal and are hollow throughout to impart thereto the desired buoyancy. Each section comprises a head and arm 3 and 4, respectively, the arms being divergingly arranged so that a person can conveniently enter therebetween. The heads have their lower edges connected by hinges 5 so that the sections can be folded when desired, said sections being held in their operative positions by hooks 6 carried by one head and detachably engaged with eyes 7 on the adjacent head, as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

Each arm 4 has a loop 8 fixed thereto and in which is engaged an adjustable strap 9 which serves to attach the device to a person, the strap being arranged so as to either engage the chest or back of the user. The arms 4 are further provided with recesses 10 in which are secured pads 11 which add to the comfort of the user when the armpits are resting in the recesses. A fabric sheet 12 is provided and has its corners detachably engaged with hooks 13 carried by the float, said fabric serving to support the chest when the user assumes a swimming position, and the armpits are engaged in the recesses 10. It will be observed that when the armpits are engaged in the recesses 10 the chest will be in such position as to rest upon the fabric sheet 12, said recesses also serving to prevent the arms 4 from slipping from engagement with the armpits, as will be obvious.

The heads 4 are provided with handles 13 which can be grasped when the person is using the legs to propel the float.

The hinges 5 have pivotally connected thereto in any suitable manner a sheet metal panel 15 which is held in its vertical or operative position by a latch 16, said latch having one end pivotally connected to one of the heads and its other end detachably engaged with the panel, said panel serving to retard lateral tilting of the float.

Should it be desired to increase the buoyancy of the float detachable pontoons 17 are provided and have their inner ends formed with sockets 18 for receiving the outer ends of the arms 4, there being clamping bands 19 for holding the pontoons detachably and adjustably attached to the arms, as clearly shown in Figure 5 of the drawing.

' In the modified form of the invention the heads 3 have their opposed faces provided respectively with a dovetail 20 and a dovetail groove 21, there being a hollow metallic insert 22 having a dovetail 23 and a dovetail groove 24 to slidably engage the respective dovetail and groove of the heads.

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It will be obvious that when the insert is in position between the heads-the width of the float will be increased.

l/Vhile we have shown and described the float as formed from sections it Willbe of course understood that it can be made in one section. If'desired the heads 3 and arms 4 may be formed with bulkheads in case the float should spring a leak sufficient compartments will remain to sustain the float. 1 I

From the foregoing it will be seen that a float has been provided which is so 0011- struc'tedl that a person can assume a floating position or can'upon working the legs as 'sume a. swimming position and propel the tachably connected with the panel, as and for the purpose set forth.

"2. A float of the class described comprispontoons detachabl'y and adjii'stably connected with the ends of the arms.

3. A float of the class described comprising axhol low U. shaped body having dia-v mg a body, said body consisting of a pair is of 8801310118 including head and arms, and.

metrically opposed recesses in its arms, a

fabric sheet detachably connected withthe float adjacent the recesses and between the tween the upper and lower planes ofthe arms. 7 i L. A float ing a substantially U shaped body having diametrically opposed recessesin its arms, and pads'en'g aged in the recesses.

In testimony whereof we afiix our sigma-- T CHARLES w. BAUMAN. FRANK-GRUBER- I tures.

of the cl'ass 'desoribedcolntpris- V 7 -35 arm's thereof, said sheet being disposed be-

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