This invention relates to a buoyancy device or pontoon particularly for use with a jet ski or the like.

Jet ski craft suffer from stability problems at low speed or when they are stopped. This is because they have a relatively high centre of gravity which causes them to roll onto their sides at low speed, when they have stopped or are just starting.

Pontoons which are clamped to the sides of a jet ski are available, but as these are not inflatable and are constructed of rigid plastics materials, their use effects the riding characteristics of a jet ski. They are also not easily stored, attached to or detached from a jet ski.

The primary object of this invention is therefore to provide a buoyancy device which maintains a jet ski rider in an upright position even when stationery or at low speeds.

A further object of the invention is to make it easier for beginners and learners by ensuring that a jet ski is held in an upright position.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

According to the present invention there is provided a jet ski buoyancy pontoon including an inflatable tubular member contoured to conform in shape to a hull of a jet ski, the inflatable tubular member being attachable to and detachable from the jet ski hull.

The inflatable tubular member can consist of a shaped jacket with an inflatable inner.

The inflatable tubular member can be attached to the hull of the jet ski via a track placed along the gunwale of the jet ski hull, the track being shaped to have slidingly engaged therein a beaded edge of a web along one side of the tubular member.

The inflatable tubular member can be attachable to and detachable from the jet ski hull by an alternative attachment means, such as a zip fastener.

The attachment means can comprise a first web secured to the jet ski preferably beneath the gunwale of the jet ski hull. The first web is attached to or integral with one half of a zip fastener. The corresponding other half of the zip fastener is attached to or integral with the edge of a second web which is attached along one side of the inflatable tubular member.

The two halves of the zip fastener interlock when the zip fastener is closed. The corresponding halves of the zip fastener can be opened or closed by pulling a sliding clip.

The zip fastener can be double-sided to provide for ease of attachment.

Each inflatable tubular member can be tapered from the front of the jet ski to the rear. The amount of buoyancy support the jet ski pontoon provides to the jet ski can be altered by increasing or decreasing the diameter of the inflatable tubular member.

In practice a matching pair of inflatable tubular members are fitted one on either side of the jet ski. Alternatively a single wraparound inflatable tubular member can be fitted to the hull of the jet ski.

When not in use the jet ski buoyancy pontoon can be deflated and detached from the jet ski for suitable storage and subsequent use.

Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example only.

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of an example of a jet ski pontoon;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view from above of a jet ski with a pair of jet ski pontoons fitted;

Figure 3 shows a cross-section through a connection between one of the jet ski pontoons and a track fitted to the gunwale of the jet ski;

Figure 4 shows a cross-section through a zip fastener used between one of the jet ski pontoons and the gunwale of the jet ski;

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the zip fastener; and

Figure 6 shows a wraparound version of the jet ski pontoon.

The jet ski pontoon is a generally tubular member 1. In the first example illustrated in figures 1 to 5, the tubular member 1 has a jacket 2 with an inflatable inner 3. The jacket

2 can have a zip 4 which allows access to the inflatable inner

3 for repair purposes. The tubular member 1 is contoured to have a shape complementary to the shape of the hull of a jet ski 5 and tapers to a point at a front end of the tubular member 1.

The tubular member 1 has a means for attaching it to the jet ski 5. In the example shown in Figure 1 the tubular member 1 has a web 6 along one side 7. The web 6 has a beaded edge 8 which can be formed by stitching a length of cord to the web 6.

The beaded edge 8 is able to slidingly engage with a length of track 9 (Figure 3).

The track 9 can be a length of aluminium track shaped and fitted to a gunwale 10 at the join between the hull 11 and the deck 12 of the jet ski 5.

In use a pair of similar pontoons are fitted by sliding the beaded edge 8 into the track 9 on either side of the hull 11. At this stage the pontoons should only be partially inflated to allow them to more easily flex to allow the beaded edge 8 to be slid right to the front of the track 9. The inflatable inners of the pontoons are then inflated via a valve 13. When inflated the pontoons provide stability to the jet ski 5, at low speed or when stationary, therefore making it easier to mount or dismount from the jet ski 5.

Figures 4 & 5 illustrate an alternative means of attachment using a zip fastener.

The attachment means in this case comprises a first web 18 secured to the jet ski beneath the gunwale 10 of the jet ski hull 11. The first web 18 is attached to one half of a zip fastener 16. The corresponding other half of the zip fastener 15 is attached or integral with the edge of a second web 14 which is attached along one side to the tubular member 1.

The first web 18 is secured by means of a plurality of bolts 19 and nuts 20 to the underside of the gunwale 10 and is dimensioned and shaped to correspond with the gunwale's 10 shape and configuration. It is to be appreciated that other suitable alternative means of securement can be used to hold the first web 18 in place.

Preferably between the first web 18 and nut 20 is placed a strengthening means, for example, a plastic coated nylon webbing 21. This plastic coated nylon webbing 21 acts as reinforcing and stiffens the first web 18 where it is secured to the gunwale 10.

To remove or to attach the jet ski pontoon 1 to the jet ski 5 a sliding clip 17 is pulled to open or close the zip fastener 15 and 16.

In order to provide for additional strength and stability in attaching the pontoon 1 to the jet ski 5, it is envisaged that the zip fastener 15 and 16 can be double-sided.

Alternatively as illustrated by Figure 6, the jet ski buoyancy pontoon can be a single wrap around version 21 attachable by any suitable means to the hull of the jet ski 5.

Thus by this invention there is provided a stability and buoyancy device for a jet ski craft.

Particular examples of the invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.