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:
Dec. 14, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 19, 2002
Tony W. Mears, Longmont, CO (US);
Nicolae Toderica, Longmont, CO (US);
Valerica Grigore, Longmont, CO (US);
Richard S. Coate, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Michael Braitberg, Boulder, CO (US);
FloatLogic, Inc., Boulder, CO (US);
Abstract
A flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition is provided. The flotation device comprises a mounting plate mounted to the watercraft with the mounting plate having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder-retaining slot, and a second bladder-retaining slot. A first collapsible tubing is receivable within the first cover channel. An elongated cover is receivable in the cover channels with the first collapsible tubing positioned between the mounting plate and the first edge. A space is defined between the mounting plate and the cover with a directional bladder and a flotation bladder receivable within the space. At least a portion of the directional bladder is receivable within the first bladder-retaining slot and at least a portion of the flotation bladder is receivable within the second bladder-retaining slot. An inflation mechanism inflates the first collapsible tubing and the directional bladder and flotation bladder such that upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing and the directional bladder, the first edge of the cover is released from the first cover channel allowing the directional bladder and the flotation bladder to substantially inflate.