Buoyant viewing platform

Abstract

A buoyant viewing platform for scanning the bottom of an aquatic environment from above so as to provide a clear, undisturbed field of view is provided. The buoyant viewing platform may include a body portion dimensioned and adapted to accommodate a human user on a top surface, wherein the body portion forms a viewing port for scanning bottom of the aquatic environment, and wherein a canopy may be disposed along the top surface so as to protect the user from the elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A buoyant viewing platform, comprising:
 a body portion made of resilient buoyant material, defining two opposing side edges;   a viewing port formed by the body portion, between the two opposing side edges thereof; and   an arm slot formed by the body portion, along each opposing side edge thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 1 , further comprising an arcuate canopy releasably connected to the body portion, wherein the arcuate canopy extends from an aft end to a forward end so as to substantially shield a top surface of the body portion from the elements. 
     
     
         3 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of coupling slots formed by the body portion, wherein each coupling slot is dimensioned and adapted to facilitate the releasable connection of the arcuate canopy. 
     
     
         4 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 3 , further comprising a framing system interconnecting the coupling slots and the arcuate canopy, the framing system comprising:
 an aft frame adapted to perpendicularly engage an underside of the arcuate canopy; and   a forward frame adapted to obtusely engage the underside of the arcuate canopy,   wherein the aft frame and the forward frame engage opposing sides of the arcuate canopy.   
     
     
         5 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 4 , wherein the aft end and the forward end each form a pocket for slidably receiving the aft frame and the forward frame, respectively,
 whereby the arcuate canopy tautly extends from the aft frame to the forward frame.   
     
     
         6 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 3 , further comprising a spring loaded coupling assembly interconnecting each coupling slot and the framing system. 
     
     
         7 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one T-angel bar embedded within a portion of the body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one re-bar embedded within a portion of the body portion. 
     
     
         9 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hook disposed along the body portion. 
     
     
         10 . The buoyant viewing platform of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bumper disposed along a front peripheral edge of the body portion. 
     
     
         11 . A buoyant viewing platform, comprising:
 a body portion comprising:
 a resilient buoyant material, defining two opposing side edges; 
 a viewing port formed by the body portion, between the two opposing side edges thereof; 
 an arm slot formed by the body portion, along each opposing side edge thereof; 
 a plurality of coupling slots formed by the body portion; 
 at least one T-angel bar embedded within a portion of the body portion; 
 at least one hook disposed along the body portion; and 
 at least one bumper disposed along a front peripheral edge of the body portion; 
   an arcuate canopy extending from an aft end to a forward end so as to substantially shield a top surface of the body portion, wherein the aft end and the forward end each form an aft pocket and a forward pocket, respectively;   a framing system comprising:
 an aft frame adapted to be received in the aft pocket so as to perpendicularly engage an underside of the arcuate canopy; and 
 a forward frame adapted to be received in the forward pocket so as to obtusely engage the underside of the arcuate canopy, wherein the aft frame and the forward frame engage opposing sides of the tautly extended arcuate canopy; and 
   a spring loaded coupling assembly interconnecting each coupling slot and the framing system.