UNDERWATER STAIRS

Abstract: A plurality of boxes (1) with their bottoms opened are connected in a step form and submerged and fixed in water. A notch (2) is formed for the passage of air at the lower end of the connection side of each box (1). When air is blown into the lowermost box (1), the air is sent sequentially to the upper boxes (1) and stays inside all of the boxes (1). A diver can reach the depth of the sea by diving sequentially from the uppermost box (1) into the lower boxes (1) without using any air cylinder.

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to underwater swimming apparatuses and, in particular, to an underwater swimming apparatus which makes it possible to freely swim underwater without a scuba or the like. BACKGROUND ART The diving without any scuba has been firstly known as an underwater swimming, but is restricted with short time periods during which people can hold their breath. The diving using scuba has been also known as an underwater swimming, which makes it possible to swim for a long time. However, these swimming manners require much training and experience. Then, it is hard for people in general to carry out such swimming manners. Therefore, in order to swim underwater or to obtain living space underwater, for example, a station or a dome is constructed underwater so as to use an interior of the dome as living space. Further, Japanese Utility Model Unexamined Publication No. 49-17000 discloses an apparatus which can make it possible to swim and to behave in a desired manner in a dome underwater. The apparatus includes means for supporting the dome in a desired depth of sea, a gate provided in the dome, through which users can come into and go out from the dome, and means for supplying air of a pressure higher than a water pressure in such depth. However, these apparatus have complicated constitutions. Any apparatus hasn't been proposed yet which can provide people with living space underwater easily and readily. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An underwater swimming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a group of containers connected at a side wall thereof to each other in a stepped manner, each of which is opened downwards, notch means each provided at lower portion of the side wall of the container to be connected to the next container, means for pumping air into a lowermost one of the containers, means for supporting the containers, provided parallel to and spaced from the containers, and means for anchoring the containers and the supporting means under water. According to this, air pumped from the pumping means remains in a space defined by the containers. Therefore, people can swim in the space free from scuba or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be explained in detail hereinafter with referring to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of the containers constituting an underwater swimming apparatus shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the underwater swimming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a side view showing a space in which people can swim. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the drawings, a reference numeral 1 designates a cubic container, one side of which is opened. A plurality of containers 1 are connected to each other in a stepped manner so as to provide a plurality of container groups 10 as shown in Fig. 1. Namely, the containers 1 are so integrated into a shown container group 10 that each of the containers slips a little relative to and is connected at one side wall thereof to the next one. A reference numeral 2 designates a notch formed at a lower portion of a side wall of the container 1. The lower portion is not connected to the next container, but the rest of the side wall is connected to the next one. A reference numeral 3 designates an air supply means communicated with the lowermost container 1. The means 3 includes a compressor 30 for pumping compressed air in the lowermost container 1, a hose communicated at one end thereof with the compressor 30 and at the other end thereof with the lowermost container 1. A reference numeral 4 designates a staircase disposed parallel to the container groups 10. The staircase 4 is used as container supporting means. The staircase 4 is spaced by a predetermined distance from the container group 10 through coupling members (not shown) provided between the containers 1 and the staircase 4. A reference numeral 5 designates anchor means for anchoring the container groups 10 and the staircase 4 under water. The anchor means 5 includes posts each of which is planted at a base end portion thereof on the bed of the sea and is connected at a distal end portion thereof to the container groups 10 and the staircase 4, thereby anchoring them under water. A function of the apparatus constructed as above will be described below. Firstly, the compressor 30 is operated to pump air of a predetermined pressure level into the lowermost container 1. Air introduced into the lowermost container 1 is delivered through the notch 2 into an upper container 1 and a further upper container 1 one after another. Finally an interior of each of all containers 1 is filled with air. Accordingly a lower space of the container groups 10 defines a living space filled with air, in which people can swim. In the shown embodiment, since the staircase 4 is disposed with a predetermined space from the container groups 10, air is accumulated in a space defined between the container groups 10 and the staircase 4, thereby permitting people to swim or behave a desired manner. Especially, the staircase 4 of the shown shape permits people to take a desired behavior on the staircase 4, e.g. standing up action, sitting on action or the like. Furthermore, a diver steps down from the uppermost container 1 to the lower ones 1 one after another, so that he can also get to the deep sea without any air accumulator. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As apparent from the above-mentioned, according to the present invention, obtained is a underwater swimming apparatus which is simple in the construction thereof and can provide a living space in water readily and safely. Accordingly, the present invention is highly applicable to an ocean leisure and industry.

Claims: An underwater swimming apparatus comprising: container groups each including a plurality of containers connected to each other in a stepped manner, each of which containers is opened downwards; notch means provided at lower portion of a side wall of said container, which side wall is connected to the next container; means for pumping air into a lowermost one of said containers; means for supporting said containers, provided parallel to and spaced from said containers; and means for anchoring said containers and said supporting means under water.

Inventors: NOJIMA, YOUKO 14-10-24, MEIWA 4-CHOME
Applicants: YUUGEN KAISHA PARASIGHT
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B63C11
IPC codes: B63C11, E04F11, E06C1