The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 30, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 29, 1995
Daniel R Mayfield, Moxee, WA (US);
Other;
Abstract
The invention is a buoyancy activated barrier for opening an closing an aperture defined in the stern of a sportsman's flotation device which permits the user to easily and quickly enter and exit the flotation device. The barrier is slidably mounted in the aperture of the flotation device such that it is free to establish its own level of equilibrium in the water, thereby defining its own waterline. When the user wishes to enter the flotation device, it is unloaded, and the upper surface of the barrier is spaced relatively below the top surface of the flotation device, providing an easy passageway for the user. When the user sits in the flotation device, loading it, the upper surface of the barrier becomes level with the upper surface of the flotation device, closing the aperture, to provide a protected, confined space for the user. When the user wishes to exit the flotation device, she simply stands up in shallow water, thus unloading the flotation device. Again, the upper surface of the barrier is displaced below the upper surface of the flotation device, opening the aperture for easy exit. Interchangeable barriers for modifying the shape or configuration of the device may be configured to act as the buoyancy activated barrier.