SELF-SUSTAINING WATER SKI

Abstract: A self-sustaining water ski, comprising an inflatable float (3) provided with an incorporated foot entry space (6) and with rods, sticks, tubes or laths (4) which are connected as stiffening members in longitudinal direction to the exterior of the bottom portion of the float (3), said foot entry space (6) being formed as a chamber of flexible material accessible from the top of the float (3), the longitudinal walls (2) of said chamber, in operative condition of the float, being in abutting relationship against each other over a substantial portion of the height thereof, but receding relatively to each other towards the bottom portion of the float (3), while the stiffening members (4) in the form of rods, sticks, tubes or laths are attached to the bottom portion of the float by means of eyes (5) affixed at the exterior to said bottom portion of the float (3).

Description: Title " : Self-sustaining water ski. The invention relates to a self-sustaining water ski, comprising an inflatable float provided with an incorporated foot entry space, and with rods, sticks, tubes or laths which are connected as stiffening members in longitudinal direction to the exterior of the bottom portio of the float. Such a water ski is known from Dutch patent application 81.03271. In this application, the foot is retained in the foot entry space by means of a toe band mounted in the foot entry space. Moreover, the stiffening members in this known water ski are enclosed along their entire length within a sleeve fixedly connected along its entire length to the exterior of the bottom portion of the float. It is an object .of the invention to provide a self-sustaining water ski of improved construction both as regards the foot entry space and in respect of the attach¬ ment of the stiffening members to the exterior of the botto portion of the float. To this effect according to the invention there is provided a self-sustaining water ski of the above described type which is characterized in that the foot entry space is formed as a chamber with flexible walls accessible from the top of the float, said walls, in operative condition of the float, being in longitudinal abutment against each other over a substantial portion of the height thereof and receding relatively to each other towards the bottom portion of the float, while the walls O along the top edge portion thereof and with the enlarged lower portion thereof are fixedly connected all around to the float wall and the bottom portion of the float, and the stiffening members in the form of rods, sticks, tubes or laths are attached to the bottom portion of the float by means of eyes affixed at the exterior to the bottom portion of the float. The foot entry space according to the invention is constructed in such a manner that the ankle and the foot, with the exception of the foot sole, which preferably rests on a foot board, is entirely enclosed by a cushion. With this foot entry space it is achieved that the foot is firmly retained in place at a uniform pressure all around, while on the other hand the foot, when leaving the float, can be easily withdrawn and removed from the- foot entry space constructed according to the invention. Another advantage is that the foot entry space according to the invention, both in and out of operation, is properly protected against water penetrating into the foot entry space. With respect to the attachment of the stiffening members, two or more of which can be applied, it can be observed that the place of the eyes, which preferably are made of synthetic plastics material, just like the rest of the water ski, is chosen in such a manner that the body weight of the skier is directly transferred onto the stiffening members via the foot board in the foot entry space. OMP The substantial advantage of this attachment construction according to the invention is that now there is obtained not only a proper stiffening in longitudinal direction of the float, but also damage to the bottom of the float is avoided. In this manner, the risk of leakage is minimized. True, the stiffening members and the synthetic plastics eyes may be damaged when the skier walks over land or touches the ground in skiing over the water, but these parts are much less vulnerable than the inflatable float body. One embodiment of the invention will now be explained, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a top view of a self-sustaining water ski having a foot entry space according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the self-sustaining water ski, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the self-sustaining water ski on the line III-III of fig. 2. The foot entry space 6 comprises the foot board 1, while the walls 2 thereof, at the top and bottom, are welded all around to the inflatable float 3. At 4 are shown the stiffening members in the form of tubes which are inserted through the synthetic plastics eyes 5. The body weight of the skier is transferred onto the tubes 4 via the foot board 1 and the bottom portion of the float 3. The foot entry space 6, as shown in fig. 3, has --S- an entirely closed bottom, seen in the width direction. However, it is also possible to omit the central portion of said bottom, reckoned from a given distance to the two siders, Care should be taken then that the distance to the two sides is sufficient to guarantee a proper attachment, e.g. glueing of the foot entry space to the bottom portion of the float. Naturally, modifications may be applied in the self-sustaining water ski as discussed in the above and as shown in the drawing, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS - 1. A self-sustaining water ski, comprising an inflatable float provided with an incorporated foot entry space and with rods, sticks, tubes or laths which are connected as stiffening members in longitudinal direction to the exterior of the bottom portion of the float, characterized in that the foot entry space is formed as a chamber with flexible walls accessible from the top of the float, said walls, in operative condition of the float, being in longitudinal abutment against each other over a substantial portion of the height thereof, and receding relatively to each other towards the bottom portion of the float, while the walls along the top edge portion thereof and with the enlarged lower portion thereof are fixedly connected all around to the float wall and the bottom portion of the float, and the stiffening members in the form of rods, sticks, tubes or laths are attached to the bottom portion of the float by means of eyes affixed at the exterior to the bottom portion of the floa . 2. A self-sustaining water ski according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffening members are formed of thin-walled aluminium tubes sealed at both ends with an inser cap.

Inventors: LENTEN HENDRIK, LENTEN, HENDRIK
Applicants: LENTEN HENDRIK, LENTEN, HENDRIK
Application year: 1983
Main classification: A63C15
IPC codes: B63B35