Abstract:
An anchorable wave ride, including an anchor, attached to an anchor line, releasably connected to an anchor line attachment, which is attached to a flexible, elongated, shock-absorbing flotation core having a passenger stabilizer attached and positioned to the core for supporting a rider; thereby providing a buoyant, anchorable, vertically stable, and shock absorbing ride such the rider can enjoy the ocean waves on the ride.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to aquatic toys and, more particularly, to an anchorable wave ride for use by persons of limited coordination and dexterity to ride waves.  
           [0003]    (2) Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The oceans and other large bodies of water produce waves and swells continuously due to the transfer of energy through the water. Many persons using various types of wave rides enjoy these waves. For example, surfboards, boogie boards, air rafts, and other unanchored flotation devices are common at beaches. However, small children cannot be allowed to venture into the water with these devices without close supervision because these devices, which are not anchored and not vertically stable or self-righting, can be swept away and/or capsized by the waves. If the rider is not a good swimmer, there is a danger of drowning or inhalation of water, which can lead to pneumonia and other infections. Furthermore, if these rides are made of materials that are not shock-absorbing, they can injure the rider if he/she impacts the ride when hit by a wave, especially uncoordinated riders such as small children, that would inadvertently bump into the ride.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,393 issued to O&#39;Rourke on Feb. 22, 2000 for a Recreational foam float with squirting device teaches a water toy apparatus that includes an elongated buoyant torso having first and second ends. A head is defined on the first end of the torso. First and second arms are connected to an intermediate location on the torso. The first and second arms include first and second manually squeezable pump bulbs each of which has an inlet and an outlet. A discharge conduit has a first end communicated with the outlets of the first and second pump bulbs, and has a second end terminating in the head, so that upon squeezing the pump bulbs water is squirted out of the head.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,123 issued to Clifford on Mar. 23, 1999 for Flotation device utilizing cylindrical foam tubes teaches a flotation device that converts an existing flexible round foam flotation piece into a flotation aid for recreational and/or exercise purposes. The flotation device is water resistant, lightweight, flexible and easy to carry and store. The round flotation piece, commonly known as a noodle, is inserted through a sleeve in the flotation device wherein the floating seat then takes shape. Due to the flexible characteristics of the invention, a wide range of body shapes and sizes provide a comfortable and stable flotation aid that allows the user to remain mostly submerged in the water with unrestricted movement of the arms and legs. In addition to a floating chair, other configurations utilizing the round flotation piece are possible by utilizing a reconfigured attachment device. For example, a flotation device can be made to form a floating raft by using a plurality of sleeves to mate with three round flotation pieces.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,362 issued December 5, 1995 to Dandurand for a Buoyant apparatus for aquatic recreation teaches an apparatus for recreational use in an aquatic medium. A buoyant body includes a depressed region adapted to receive the body of a user in a preferred recreational posture. Handles are provided, anchored in the deck of the apparatus, for grasping by the user, allowing the less-than-expert to obtain maneuverability and enjoy surfing-type sports.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,784 issued Jan. 22, 1991 to Sohaei for a Water sport device and associated safety anchoring system teaches a water sport device for use on flowing water comprising a water-skimming device attached to one end of a flexible safety rod that is adapted for buoyancy. Connected to the opposite end of the flexible safety rod is one end of a tether having a compacting means to help prevent a rider of the device from becoming entangled in a tether that is not drawn taut. A resilient member adapted for propelling the water skimming device and rider against the flowing water is secured between the other end of the tether and an object serving as an anchor.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,195 issued Jun. 21, 1983 to Sohaei for a Steerable surfboard teaches a steerable, self-propellable surfboard has a steering arrangement attached to a weight-bearing buoyant member such as normally forms a surfboard and arranged for being actuatable by a surfer lying prone on the buoyant member and permitting the surfboard to be maneuvered under control through a liquid in which the surfboard is disposed. The steering arrangement includes a rudder assembly arranged for changing a direction of travel of the surfboard, and a fin assembly which permits the surfer to propel the surfboard through a calm liquid body by causing the member to fishtail or undulate through the liquid in which the surfboard is travelling.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,003 issued to Hughes on Nov. 24, 1981 for Water toy teaches a water toy that includes an elongated body portion, a head portion attached to one end of the body portion, and a tail portion attached to the other end of the body portion. At least the tail portion, and preferably the body and head portions, is hollowed to create a sealable chamber that can be filled with and emptied of water through a fill hole. A user straddles the body portion, settles back against a contoured surface of the tail portion and “rides” the water toy along the surface of a swimming pool, lake, etc. The hollowed portions allow the weight and weight distribution of the water toy to be varied to modify the character of the ride and to accommodate riders of different sizes and weights.  
           [0011]    None of these inventions are suitable for use anchored in waves by persons of limited coordination. Therefore, a need exists for a wave ride that is buoyant, anchorable, vertically stable, self-righting, and shock- or impact-absorbing, such that uncoordinated persons and or persons with poor swimming skills can enjoy the ocean waves. The wave ride need not be a life-saving device, but is a flotation aid.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention is directed to a anchorable wave ride, comprising: an anchor, attached to an anchor line, releasably connected to an anchor line attachment, which is attached to a flexible, elongated, shock-absorbing flotation core having a passenger stabilizer attached and positioned to the core for supporting a rider; thereby providing a buoyant, anchorable, vertically stable, and shock absorbing ride such the rider can enjoy the ocean waves on the ride.  
           [0013]    These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered with the drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment constructed according to the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a front view of a passenger stabilizer according to the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternative passenger stabilizer according to the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a front view of another alternative passenger stabilizer according to the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative preferred embodiment according to the present invention demonstrating multiple anchor line attachments.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a side view of another alternative embodiment according to the present invention demonstrating multiple anchor line attachments and a rigid handgrip.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a side view of a preferred embodiment demonstrating a pre-ride directional surface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward”, “rearward”, “front”, “back”, “right”, “left”, “upwardly”, “downwardly”, and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.  
         [0022]    Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. The device according to the present invention is a wave ride, shown in FIG. 1 and generally referenced as  10 . The wave ride includes a flexible, water-resilient, impact-absorbing flotation core  14  with at least one rider or passenger stabilizer  20 , at least one handgrip  30 , and at least one anchor line attachment  40 . The flexible, water-resilient, shock-absorbing flotation core  14  is preferably an elongated, buoyant device formed of a polymer, such as closed cell polyethylene foam. The device can have many cross-sectional shapes, including circular, triangular, polygonal, hollow, star-shaped, symmetrical, and asymmetrical. The flotation core can be of various dimensions, such that different sizes are possible for different size riders. Alternately, a multiplicity of smaller cross-sectional diameter flotation cores may be connected to provide increased flotation support. For example, these individual flotation cores can be lashed together with hook-and-loop fasteners and/or other releasaaly connectable fasteners, including fasteners made from the same material as the flotation core, to form a larger flotation core. The dimensions of the appropriate core are a function of the rider&#39;s weight and density, that is, larger riders will require a larger flotation core, whereas smaller riders can use a smaller size flotation core. For example, medium-sized children can use a core formed of closed cell polyethylene that is approximately 60 inches long and 2¾ inch circular diameter. For example, water logs, or noodles, as manufactured by Industrial Thermo Polymers Limited of Brampton, Canada, are made from closed cell polyethylene foam and are buoyant, lightweight, shock-absorbing, and highly resistant to water absorption and harsh chemicals. Furthermore, these water logs have excellent tear, tensile, and resiliency properties, which means they can endure more bending, twisting and physical abuse, such as would occur when battered by waves, than if made from other polymers.  
         [0023]    The cylinder is sufficiently flexible such that when a rider sits on the cylinder in the water, the cylinder flexes about the longitudinal axis A and provides vertical stability to the rider because the majority of the buoyant support will extend above the center of gravity of the rider when the rider is mounted on the ride in the water  19 . The wave ride may also have an ornamental head  16  and/or tail  17  that can as be buoyant and function as additional flotation.  
         [0024]    The at least one passenger stabilizer can include a seating support  22  connect by at least one foot support connector  28  to at least one foot support  24 . The passenger stabilizer stabilizes the rider, such that the rider will not tend to get knocked off the ride by a passing wave. The seating support can be saddle-shaped, similar to an equestrian saddle in terms of overall shape and function. Alternatively, the seating support can be incorporated into the design of the flotation support, such that the flotation support provides seating support when in use. In another preferred embodiment, the seating support is formed by the bending of the flotation support, such that the rider is supported fore and aft by the flotation support that is extending out of the water.  
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment the seating support has attachment straps  23 , as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and  4 , for attaching the seating support to the flotation support. The attachment straps can use buckles, cinches, laces, hook-and-loop fasteners, and other releasably connectable fasteners to fasten the seating support securely to the flotation support.  
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, the rider stabilizer includes at least one foot support  24  to assist the rider in balancing while on the ride, especially when being hit by or recovering from a wave. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the at least one foot support  24  is a stirrup, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, such as is used in equestrian saddles. More preferably, the stirrup is a closed-end stirrup, such that the rider&#39;s foot does not slip through the stirrup and become entangled in the stirrup. In an alternative embodiment, the foot support is a single large foot support, generally referenced as  26  in FIG. 3, which provides support for both feet. In this embodiment, two foot support connectors  28  are connected to each other under the flotation core by at least one bar  29 , thus forming a single, large foot support. The foot support connectors  28  may be attached to the end of the at least one bar, as shown in FIG. 3, or may be attached at or near the center, as shown in FIG. 4, such as to reduce the danger of the rider entangling a foot in the foot support.  
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, the ride includes at least one handgrip, such that the rider can resist being swept away by a passing wave. Thus, the at least one handgrip can be attached to the ride or to the anchor line. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one handgrip  30  is a rope attached to the anchor line  41 , as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the at least one handgrip is two ropes, such as equestrian reins, attached to the anchor line and extending to the reach of the rider. These reins can be separate, or can be joined in the vicinity of the rider&#39;s reach, such that the rider can easily grasp both reins with one hand. Advantageously, in such a configuration, the rider can quickly grasp both reins with one or both hands in anticipation of a large wave passing, thus allowing the rider to more quickly prepare for the wave impact. In another embodiment, the handgrip is a rigid handgrip  44  attached to the flotation core, as shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0028]    The anchor line attachment  40  provides an attachment for a line coming from a fixed or mobile body  50  that is able to prevent the wave ride from being swept away by a wave. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed body is a sand anchor, for example, a dDn forth anchor, such that the anchor will grip into the sand or mud of the beach. For non-sandy beaches, a different type of anchor is preferably used, such as a rock anchor or fixed structure, such as a piling, rock outcropping, or any time of fixed object. Alternatively, another person may grasp the end of the anchor line and tow another person, such as a child, on the device.  
         [0029]    The anchor line attachment is the area of the device where the most transfer of energy from the wave to the device occurs. Therefore, the anchor line attachment is designed to withstand the shock of wave impact and spread the shock of wave impact onto a large enough surface of the core flotation device such that the core flotation device is not damaged by wave impact. Therefore, the anchor line attachment needs to be both of sufficient strength to withstand the wave impact and of appropriate design and size to distribute the shock of wave impact.  
         [0030]    The anchor line attachment may be a separate element, such as a cylindrical element, through which the flotation core is inserted. Alternately or additionally, the anchor line attachment is integral with the passenger stabilizer. For example, the anchor line attachment  40  is incorporated into the saddle or seating support  22 , as shown in FIG. 1. Such a configuration is advantageous because the force of impact of the wave on the flotation core is distributed over the lower surface of the seating support, thus reducing the force/area of a wave impact.  
         [0031]    The anchor line attachment point forms a fulcrum on the flotation core that can be varied, such that the wave ride will respond differently to passing waves. For example, if the anchor line attachment point is towards the anterior end of the flotation core, a passing wave will tend to rotate the posterior end of the wave ride up and consequently, the anterior end of the wave ride downward. Therefore, one can change the behavior of the wave ride to a passing wave by moving the anchor line attachment point anterior or posterior. Positioning the anchor line attachment towards the anterior of the saddle, as shown in FIG. 1, will tend to make the anterior end of the wave ride rotate upwards less readily and present less surface area to a passing wave than if the anchor line attachment were toward the rear of the saddle. Depending on the amount of flotation and surface area anterior to the line attachment point, the anterior portion of the wave ride will rotate slightly upward or downward and the posterior portion will rotate in the opposite direction around this fulcrum when a wave passes. The anchor line attachment location can be moved caudally along the saddle. In these attachment locations, the rotation of the ride will tend to be more exaggerated the farther caudal the attachment point. The rotation of the anterior portion of the wave ride upward will tend to make the wave ride orient more perpendicular to the surface of a passing wave, thus presenting more surface area to the passing wave, and therefore tending to ride up the crest of the passing wave. Thus, in such a configuration, the flotation core would tend to ride up a passing wave, or “rear”, due to the buoyancy of the flotation core and the force of the passing wave against the surface of the flotation core. In such a configuration, the submerged anterior portion of the wave ride, which acts somewhat like a keel, can tend to divert the wave ride to one side, away from a direct line with the wave, if the wave ride is not directly perpendicular to the oncoming wave or there is more drag on one side of the ride than the other. For example, if the foot support connectors  28  as shown in FIG. 1 are wide in order to produce a larger surface area, a rider can produce more drag on one side by rotating one leg or both legs in a direction, causing the foot support connectors to act as directional surfaces or rudders, and thereby cause the wave ride to move preferably at an angle to the direction of the passing wave or current. Thus, the foot support connectors act as wings or rudders, and allow the rider to steer the wave ride. Such a wing or wings will allow the rider to steer the wave ride regardless of the anchor line attachment point; however, the more posterior the anchor line attachment point, the more sensitive the wave ride will be to steer but also the more attention the rider will have to pay to keep the wave ride oriented in a particular direction. A swivel can be inserted between the foot support connectors and the seat in order to facilitate the rotation of the foot support connectors.  
         [0032]    If the anchor line attachment location were at the anterior end of the anchor line attachment, the anterior end of the core flotation device would tend to not ride the surface of the wave as readily as more posterior attachment locations, and thus allowing the wave to more fully impact the rider. Although such an event can be pleasant for the rider, smaller riders without sufficient strength to hold onto the device might be swept off the flotation device. If such an anchor line attachment location is variable, then the anchor line attachment can be attached in different locations, according to the user&#39;s preference.  
         [0033]    Alternatively or in addition to being attached to the seating support, the anchor line  41  can be attached to a point in the proximity of the at least one handgrip, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The at least one handgrip can be incorporated into the anchor line attachment, as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the anchor line  41  is attached both to the passenger stabilizer  20  and to an additional anchor line attachment  43 , the additional anchor line attachment including an incorporated handgrip  44 . Such an embodiment allows the rider to grasp the wave ride in a location more in-line with the rider&#39;s shoulders, thus allowing the rider to more easily maintain a grip on to the ride and exert a resisting force sooner than if the handgrip where located lower, such as on the saddle, where the rider could exert a strong resisting force only after the rider&#39;s upper body had rotated backwards.  
         [0034]    A keel (not shown) can be attached or incorporated into the design of the flotation device such that the rider can more easily remain upright and the ride will tend to maintain an orientation perpendicular to the wave direction of travel if the anchor line attachment point is properly located, as described previously. Thus, a keel will provide additional directional and vertical stability. For example, a keel may be lashed to the flotation core, then the passenger stabilizer lashed over the keel.  
         [0035]    To enhance the riding experience, an energy-absorbing device  58  as shown in FIG. 7 can be included in the anchor line  41  to buffer the effects of large waves and allow the rider to ride over large waves rather than to be dragged through these waves because the flotation core and consequently the ride did not have sufficient time to ride up the wave front. For example, an elastic cord, such as a bungee cord, can be incorporated into the anchor line, allowing the ride to be stretched away from the anchor by a passing wave up to the limit of stretch of the elastic cord. In this manner, the ride will have a longer time to ride up a steeply inclined wave, and thus more time to clear the crest of the wave, rather than being dragged through the front of the wave. This energy absorbing device is preferably located near the anchor and away from the rider, such that there is no danger of the energy absorbing device entangling the rider when stretched and constricting around the rider when releasing energy, thus potentially harming the rider.  
         [0036]    Another safety feature that can prevent the entanglement of a rider in the anchor line is the use of a rigid anchor line extension, shown as  58  in FIG. 7, rather than a flexible line as the anchor attachment in the vicinity of the wave ride. This rigid anchor line extension can be a solid rod, cylinder, and the like that will not wrap around the ride or rider and thus will not entangle her. This rod extends for a sufficient distance, such as  2  meters, and then connects to a flexible anchor line that then connects to the submerged anchor. The rod can be positively buoyant, such that it will tend to make the wave ride go over a passing wave, neutrally buoyant such that it will have little or no effect on the way the ride performs on a passing wave, or it can be negatively buoyant, such that it will tend to drag the ride down into a passing wave.  
         [0037]    A pre-ride directional surface can also be inserted between the anchor and the wave ride. This pre-ride directional surface can be flattened, and attached and oriented such that it can enhance the performance of the wave ride. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a positively buoyant, flattened panel pre-ride directional surface  55  will tend to ride up a wave, dragging the wave ride in a similar direction. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 7, if the pre-ride anchor line attachment point  57  on the pre-ride directional surface is on the bottom surface and toward the rear of the pre-ride directional surface rather than at the front, the anterior end of the pre-ride directional surface will tend to rotate upward, presenting more surface area to the passing wave, and thus tend to be pushed upward and over the wave due to both the buoyant effects of the pre-ride directional surface and the force of the passing wave against the surface of the pre-ride directional surface. This pre-ride directional surface can be incorporated into the rigid anchor line extension previously mentioned.  
         [0038]    Although these embodiments are designed for a single rider, multiple riders can be accommodated by adding additional ride stabilizers and handgrips. Additional handgrips can be added, or the first set of handgrips can be lengthened to allow all riders to hang on to the same handgrip. The flotation core will need to be sized appropriately to accommodate the number of riders. Alternately, multiple flotation devices can be attached to the same anchor in parallel. In such an embodiment, the rides will need to be kept apart by a solid rod or the expertise of the riders. Such an embodiment will allow the multiple riders to ride the waves simultaneously, which will undoubtedly bring more enjoyment to the riders.  
         [0039]    Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. All modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.