Patent Publication Number: US-5833505-A

Title: Multipurpose float

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a multipurpose float, and more particularly to a swimming float that can be used in training, learning, playing and lifesaving. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Conventional swimming floats are typically shaped as rectangular plates made of expanded PU material, which are used for assisting a beginner in floating on the water in order to exercise correct swimming postures. So, their use is limited only to learning, without any other purpose. As in learning the butterfly stroke, the swimming float is gripped by a swimmer&#39;s two thighs in order to train the swimmer to maintain their thighs close together. But, the buoyancy of the float is so great that the float jumps out from the interspace between the user&#39;s thighs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a main object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose float which can be used not only in learning and training of a swimmer, but also for playing and lifesaving. 
     This object is achieved by a multipurpose float, which includes a main body, a rotatable bar and four bolt assemblies. Each edge of four sides of the main body of the float are formed with a deep hole centrally disposed therein. A slotted hole is formed through an inside region of each corner. The rotatable bar, having a length equal to the width of the main body, is connected at one side of the main body. The four bolts are set in each deep hole of the main body, respectively, and the flour slotted holes can be used for locating locking belts therein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top cross-section view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing a first application of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing a second application of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing a third application of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing showing a fourth application of the present invention; and, 
     FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned, view of FIG. 6. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention includes a main body 1, a rotatable bar 2, four bolts 3 and two locking belts 4. 
     The main body 1 is made of an expanded PU material having a contour of a thin rectangle, in which each side edge 11, of the four edges, is drilled with a deep hole 111 centrally disposed therein. A proper length of a hollow plastic sleeve 12 having a female thread 121 formed on inner wall thereof is located in each hole 111. A quadrilaterally shaped recess 112 is formed at the open end of one deep hole 111 of one edge 11 for locating the rotatable bar 2 therein. Inside of each corner has a slotted hole 14 formed therethrough. 
     The rotatable bar 2, made of an identical material as that of the main body 1, has a thickness the same as the main body 1, and a length equivalent to the width of the main body 1. Corresponding to the deep hole 111 and the quadrilateral recess 112 of the main body 1, there is a quadrilateral plug 22 extending from the rear side of the rotatable bar 2, facing the main body 1, for fitting into the quadrilateral recess 112. The rotatable bar 2 has a through hole 21 formed therethrough, permitting the sleeve 12 to pass therethrough. 
     The bolts 3 are each made of plastic and can be screwed into a respective sleeve 12, and a snap ring 32 is located on the bolt head 31 of each bolt 3. 
     Each locking belt 4 has a plug joint 41 and a socket joint 42, and can pass through a respective slotted hole 14 of the main body 1. 
     When assembled, as shown in FIG. 2, the sleeves 12 are disposed in respective deep holes 111 of the main body 1. The rotatable bar 2 is mounted to the main body 1 by means of inserting the quadrilateral plug 22 at the rear side of the rotatable bar 2 into the quadrilateral recess 112 of the main body 1, so that part of the sleeve 12 remains in the through hole 21 of the rotatable bar 2. The bolts 3 are threadedly engaged with the sleeves 12, respectively, to combine and integrate the swimming float 10. Because the sleeves 12 are shorter than the depth of the deep hole 111, a blind hole 13 is formed at the open end of the deep hole 111, so that the bolt head 31 and the snap ring 32 are recessed into the blind hole 13. Thus, the swimming float will have all sides flat without any parts extending out therefrom. 
     Besides the above-mentioned usage of the conventional swimming float, there are new functions for the present invention, as follows. Referring to FIG. 3, the multipurpose float is used for training the hand swinging movement of the butterfly stroke. The bolt fastening the rotatable bar 2 is removed and the plug 22 of the rotatable bar 2 is then rotated 90°, so as to be perpendicular with respect to the main body 1. The quadrilateral plug 22 is inserted back into the quadrilateral recess 112, and fastened by screwing in the bolt back into the sleeve. The beginning swimmer grips the main body 1 between their thighs, with the rotatable bar 2 crossing beneath the thighs as a blocking bar to prevent the float from jumping out due to the buoyancy of the float. 
     In other cases, by means of the snap rings 32 of the bolts 3, a belt 33 can be used for fastening the float 10 on the belly of a beginning swimmer or drowning person, as shown in FIG. 4, to prevent the float from sliding off. In addition, as the float 10 is fastened on the body of the swimmer by a belt 33, another belt 33 can be secured to a coach for preventing the swimmer from swimming too far away, and makes the job of lifesaving easier. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the float 10 is fastened on one arm with locking belts 4. The beginning swimmer can take advantage of the float 10 being fastened on one arm to train the movement of the free arm, such as paddling the water, especially as in finishing the swinging action of one arm and preparing to start the other arm&#39;s swinging action. The head of the beginner can tend to rest against the float so that the mouth can remain out of the water easily, for taking a breath. In this case, as the head of the swimmer tends to rest against the float 10, the buoyancy of the float 10 can counteract the effects of gravity, causing the body to tilt and aid the swimmer&#39;s head to remain out of the water so that breathing is calm and unhurried. 
     Additionally, the present invention can be used for playing and relaxing. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the float 10 can be coupled to other floats by interconnecting the snap rings 32 to form a big float or a floating bed 101 for a swimmer to sunbathe, play and relax on. Moreover, the engaging length of the bolts 3 and sleeves 12 are sufficiently long so that they have enough resistance to external forces to keep the whole float 10 as an integral unit.