Modular inflatable and platform docking stations and method of construction therefor
| Title: | Modular inflatable and platform docking stations and method of construction therefor |
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| Patent Number: | 10946,943 |
| Publication Date: | March 16, 2021 |
| Appl. No: | 16/334102 |
| Application Filed: | September 19, 2017 |
| Abstract: | An inflatable water-based motorised device docking station is described. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station includes an inflatable tube configurable to form an open ended area to receive a water-based motorised device; a floor area coupled to a portion of the inflatable tube; and a ballast bag with dump attached to the floor area and configured to stabilise the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station. |
| Inventors: | Nautibuoy Marine Limited (Devon, GB); Builder, Clay Livingston (Devon, GB); Anderson, Nina (Devon, GB) |
| Assignees: | Nautibuoy Marine Limited (Devon, GB) |
| Claim: | 1. An inflatable water-based motorised device docking station comprising: an V-shaped or U-shaped inflatable tube configurable to form an open ended area to receive a water-based motorised device; a floor area substantially surrounded by coupled to a portion of the inflatable tube encompassing a range of 50-70% of an axial length with a margin of ±20% along each side of the V-shaped or U-shaped inflatable tube; and a ballast bag attached to the floor area with a dump arrangement and configured to stabilise the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station. |
| Claim: | 2. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station is an individual inflatable water-based motorised device docking station configured to receive a single inflatable water-based motorised device. |
| Claim: | 3. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station of claim 1 , wherein the ballast dump arrangement is attached to the inflatable tube. |
| Claim: | 4. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station as in claim 1 , wherein the ballast bag with dump comprises a bag that is fixedly located into the floor by sewing the ballast bag into the floor or by gluing the ballast bag to the floor. |
| Claim: | 5. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station of claim 4 , wherein the ballast bag is coupled to a dump strap fixedly located into the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station such that a pulling up of the dump strap when the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station expels the water from the ballast. |
| Claim: | 6. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station as in claim 1 , wherein the floor comprises a weighted element configured to lower the floor when in use on water and ease access, where the weighted element comprises at least one weight configured in at least one of: a substantially central location to lower a central part of the floor and ease access, along an edge of the floor area facing an open end of the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station. |
| Claim: | 7. An inflatable water-based motorised device docking station comprising: an inflatable tube configurable to form an open ended area to receive a water-based motorised device; a floor area coupled to a portion of the inflatable tube; and a ballast attached to the floor area and configured to stabilise the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station wherein the floor area encompasses less than 20% of an axial length along each side of a V-shaped or U-shaped inflatable tube for use in docking standard jet skis. |
| Claim: | 8. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of air-toggle loops configured to receive the inflatable tube when deflated and secure the inflatable tube when inflated. |
| Claim: | 9. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station of claim 1 , further comprising at least one handle containment strap connected to at least one D-ring attached to a surface of the inflatable tube whereby the at least one D-ring receives a second strap comprising two strips of Velcro™ securable onto each other when the second strap is passed through the D-ring. |
| Claim: | 10. A modular inflatable docking system as a kit of parts comprising an individual inflatable water-based motorised device docking station according to claim 1 , having a first connectable element; and comprising at least one inter-connectable device from a group of: (i) at least one further individual inflatable water-based motorised device docking station having a first connectable element; (ii) an inflatable platform comprising a second connectable element (iii) an anchor comprising a third connectable element. |
| Patent References Cited: | 4727820 March 1988 Klaus 7051668 May 2006 Quinto 9340262 May 2016 Boyd et al. 2002/0129756 September 2002 Myers 2007/0181050 September 2007 Stillman 2754513 April 1998 H10-297587 November 1998 97/39940 October 1997 20090156789 December 2009 |
| Primary Examiner: | Avila, Stephen P |
| Attorney, Agent or Firm: | Optimus Patents US, LLC |
| Accession Number: | edspgr.10946943 |
| Database: | USPTO Patent Grants |
| Language: | English |
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