Personal floatation device
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a back floatation panel comprising an inner panel and an outer panel. The inner panel and the outer panel would be joined to each other in such a way as to allow “bellowed” expansion of a space, or a “sleeve,” in between the inner and outer panels. The bellowed expansion space between the inner and outer panels would be adapted for accommodating, for example, a hydration bladder and/or an insert of high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) plastic for protecting the wearer's back. The inner and outer panels would be joined in such a way as to provide a pathway through which a hydration tube can be inserted. Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide differentially cut fabric panels for covering buoyancy panels. An outer fabric panel, comprising an outer panel surface area, would be used to cover an outer surface of a buoyancy panel. An inner fabric panel, comprising an inner panel surface area, would be used to cover an inner surface of the buoyancy panel. In various exemplary embodiments, the outer panel surface area would be greater than inner panel surface area. That is, the outer panel would comprise a greater number of square inches of fabric than will the inner panel. Various embodiments of the present invention would also provide slit buoyancy panels to allow the buoyancy panels to contour over three-dimensional shapes. Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a personal floatation device with a belt pivotally connected to a back panel of the personal floatation device. Various embodiments of the present invention would provide front floatation panels for a personal floatation device comprising an upper buoyancy panel, a lower buoyancy panel, and a baffle system separating the upper buoyancy panel from the lower buoyancy panel.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/836,477, attorney docket number PPAT0002/MRK, titled “PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE,” filed on Aug. 9, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein in full by reference as if stated in full herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe field of the present invention is floatation devices, and more specifically, personal floatation devices, also referred to as life vests or life jackets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONVarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a back floatation panel comprising an inner panel and an outer panel. The inner panel and the outer panel would be joined to each other in such a way as to allow “bellowed” expansion of a space, a “sleeve,” in between the inner and outer panels. The bellowed expansion space between the inner and outer panels would be adapted for accommodating, for example, a hydration bladder and/or an insert of high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) plastic for protecting the wearer's back. The inner and outer panels would be joined in such a way as to provide a pathway through which a hydration tube can be inserted.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide differentially cut fabric panels for covering buoyancy panels. An outer fabric panel, comprising an outer panel surface area, would be used to cover an outer surface of a buoyancy panel. An inner fabric panel, comprising an inner panel surface area, would be used to cover an inner surface of the buoyancy panel. In various exemplary embodiments, the outer panel surface area would be greater than the inner panel surface area. That is, the outer panel will comprise a greater number of square inches of fabric than will the inner panel.
It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that, in the context of a Personal Floatation Device (“PFD”), that discussion of an “inner” surface of a buoyancy panel would refer to the surface of the buoyancy panel closest to, and facing, a wearer's body when the PFD is worn. An “inner” fabric panel will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art to refer to a panel of fabric that is used to cover the “inner” surface of a buoyancy panel. An “inner” surface of a fabric panel will be understood by someone of ordinary skill in the art as referring to the surface of the fabric panel that is closest to, and facing, the material which is being covered.
An “outer” surface of a buoyancy panel will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art to refer to the surface of the buoyancy panel opposite the inner surface. An “outer” fabric panel will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art to refer to a panel of fabric that is used to cover the “outer” surface of a buoyancy panel. An “outer” surface of a fabric panel will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art as referring to a surface of the fabric panel that is opposite the inner surface of the fabric panel.
In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, shaped, or “contoured,” fabric pieces will be used to cover the sides of the buoyant panel. The shaped, or “contoured,” side fabric pieces will be used to join the inner and outer fabric panels together. Joining a larger surface area outer fabric panel to a smaller surface area inner fabric panel using shaped, or “contoured,” side pieces will create a three-dimensional, convex curvature of the buoyancy panel. The resulting three-dimensionally curved, fabric-covered buoyancy panel will comprise a convex outer buoyancy panel surface and a concave inner buoyancy panel surface.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a pivotally connected waist belt. Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a personal floatation device with a belt pivotally connected to a back panel of the personal floatation device. The exemplary pivotally connected waist belt would comprise a left portion and a right portion. Each of the left portion and the right portion of the pivotally connected waist belt would comprise a pivot connection end and a fastening end. A pivot connection end of the left portion of the pivotally connected waist belt would be pivotally connected to a left portion of the main back panel of the PFD. A pivot connection end of the right portion of the pivotally connected waist belt would be pivotally connected to a right portion of the main back panel of the PFD. A fastening end of the left portion of the pivotally connected waist belt would provide a first fastening means, such as for example, a male or female fastener component. A fastening end of the right portion of the pivotally connected waist belt would provide a second fastening means, such as, for example, a compatible, complementary, counter-part female or male fastener component to the first fastening means.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide left and right front floatation panels. The fastening ends of the right and left portions of the exemplary pivotally connected waist belt would be adapted for fastening around a wearer's body, such as around a waist, independent of the left and right front floatation panels of the PFD. That is, fastening the exemplary pivotally connected belt would anchor the main back panel of the PFD to a wearer's body, independent of straps used to anchor the front floatation panels, and/or the entire PFD, to the wearer's body. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, portions of the pivot belt would pass through or otherwise be connected to the front panels of the PFD; adjustable shoulder straps and adjustable side straps would allow the front panels to be positionally adjusted, and also, therefore, allow the portions of the pivot belt to pivotally adjust, to the location of the waist of the wearer.
Various exemplary embodiments would provide right and left front floatation panels that would comprise upper and lower front buoyancy chambers. The upper and lower front buoyancy chambers will be separated from each other by a baffle system.
The right and left upper front buoyancy chambers would comprise sliced or “slit,” buoyancy panels. The slices in the sliced buoyancy panels would pierce the buoyancy panel from the outer surface through the inner surface of the buoyancy panel. Various exemplary sliced upper buoyancy panels would be housed in between differentially cut inner and outer fabric panels. For example, in various exemplary embodiments, the outer fabric panel covering the outer surface of an upper front buoyancy panel will comprise a larger surface area than the surface area of an inner fabric panel covering the inner surface of the upper front buoyancy panel. The outer fabric panel covering the outer surface of an upper front buoyancy panel will be joined to the inner fabric panel covering the inner surface of the upper front buoyancy panel by means of shaped, or “contoured,” fabric pieces. The shaped, or “contoured,” fabric pieces will cover the sides of the upper front buoyancy panels. In various exemplary embodiments, the inner fabric panel would comprise “princess” seams, providing a contoured inner fabric panel. In various exemplary embodiments, the outer fabric panel for an upper chamber would comprise a stretch material.
Joining the larger surface area outer fabric panel to the smaller surface area inner fabric panel using shaped, or “contoured,” side pieces will create a three-dimensional, convex curvature of the respective upper front buoyancy panel. The resulting three-dimensionally curved fabric-covered upper front buoyancy panel will comprise a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface.
In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the baffle system between the upper chamber and the lower chamber of the respective front floatation panels would be provided to allow buoyancy material in each chamber to extend, or expand, to their respective full thickness at a juncture point with the baffle system.
In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, buoyancy panels may comprise tapered, or “skived,” edges.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide buoyant pads for adjustable shoulder straps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThese and other features of the present invention are more fully set forth in the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is presented with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
A front perspective view of an exemplary PFD 1 is depicted in
The exemplary PFD 1 depicted in
Continuing with reference to
Continuing with reference to
1. Buoyant Pads for Adjustable Shoulder Straps
A layer of buoyant material is encased in a fabric envelope to form a buoyant shoulder strap pad, e.g., 18 (right buoyant shoulder strap pad) and 19 (left buoyant shoulder strap pad). Each piece of each adjustable shoulder strap (6 (right) and 9 (left)) passes through a loop (20 and 22 for the right shoulder strap pad 18; 21 and 23 of the left shoulder strap pad 19). The loose ends of each of the two pieces pass through strap receiving features of a right shoulder adjustable buckle 24 (left shoulder adjustable buckle 25).
As depicted in
Stationary piece 9b of exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 comprises a first end 9b-1 that has been fastened, such as by sewn stitches 9d, to left back shoulder portion 10 of main back panel 2. In the exemplary embodiment, rear end 19a of exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19 is fastened, such as by sewn stitches 9d to left back shoulder portion 10 of main back panel 2.
Stationary piece 9b of exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 further comprises a second end 9b-2 that has been threaded through rear loop 21 and then through a strap adjustment feature, such as, for example, left shoulder adjustable buckle 25.
In the exemplary embodiment, exemplary left shoulder adjustable buckle 25 comprises a “Ladder Loc.” Exemplary left shoulder adjustable buckle 25 comprises a rim 25c, a rear rung 25a and a front rung 25b.
Second end 9b-2 of stationary piece 9b is threaded over rear rung 25a of left shoulder adjustable buckle 25, is turned under rear rung 25a, is then passed back through rear loop 21, and is then fastened, such as by sewn stitches 9e, to first end 9b-1. After second end 9b-2 has been fastened to first end 9b-1, open edges 21-1 and 21-2 of rear loop 21 are fastened, such as by sewn stitches 21b and 21c, to exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19.
Adjustable piece 9a of exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 comprises a fastened end 9a-2 that is fastened, such as by sewing 9c to left front shoulder portion 11. Adjustable piece 9a of exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 further comprises an adjustable end 9a-1. Adjustable end 9a-1 is passed through front loop 23, is passed under front rung 25b of exemplary left shoulder adjustable buckle 25, is looped over the top of front rung 25b, and is passed under rim 25c. Open edges 23-1 and 23-2 of front loop 23 remain open so that adjustable end 9a-1 can be pulled forward to shorten adjustable strap 9, or pulled backward through exemplary left shoulder adjustable buckle 25 to lengthen adjustable strap 9.
It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that fastening open edges 21-1 and 21-2 of rear loop 21, such as by sewn stitches 21b and 21c, to exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19, stationarily fixes the location of exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19 with respect to exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9. Further, because second end 9b-2 of stationary piece 9b is fastened, such as by sewn stitches 9e, to first end 9b-1, then fastening open edges 21-1 and 21-2 of rear loop 21, such as by sewn stitches 21b and 21c, to exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19, stationarily fixes the location of exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19 with respect to exemplary main back panel 2.
Yet further, as will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art, even though the location of exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19 is stationarily fixed both with respect to exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 and exemplary main back panel 2, adjustable end 9a-1 of adjustable piece 9a of exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 remains adjustable in length.
Still further, the above-described stationary fixing of exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19 with respect to exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 (and with respect to exemplary main back panel 2), guards against interference of exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19 with the adjustability of adjustable end 9a-1 of adjustable piece 9a of exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9.
Further yet, the above-described stationary fixing of exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19 with respect to exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 (and with respect to exemplary main back panel 2), guards against rotation of the exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19 with respect to exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 and further guards against a tendency to cause exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 to roll or twist.
It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that exemplary right adjustable shoulder strap 6 and exemplary right buoyant shoulder strap pad 18 are assembled in a manner similar to that described above regarding exemplary left adjustable shoulder strap 9 and exemplary left buoyant shoulder strap pad 19.
2. Back Floatation Panel Comprising an Inner Panel and an Outer Panel
In the exemplary PFD, small side portions, e.g., 32 (and an opposing side small side portion 32 not shown in
In a fully assembled exemplary main back panel 2 depicted in
The exemplary expandable sleeve 34 between inner panel 30 and outer panel 31 can be useful, for example, to provide greater freedom of movement of a wearer in that the outer panel 31 can “float” over the inner panel 30 as the inner panel 30 moves closely with the movement of the wearer's back.
Further, expandable space 34 between inner panel 30 and outer panel 31 can be used to accommodate a hydration bladder and/or an insert of high density polyethylene (“HDPE”). Inserting a sheet of HDPE would be useful to help protect a wearer's back from impact on rocks or other hard objects, such as might be encountered, for example, during white water sports.
Yet further, in various exemplary embodiments, space 34 between the inner panel 30 and outer panel 31 is used to accommodate a pivot point attachment of a waist belt 50 described further below.
3. Differentially Cut Fabric Panels Joined With Contoured Fabric Pieces
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide differentially cut fabric panels for covering buoyancy panels. An outer fabric panel, comprising an outer panel surface area, would be used to cover an outer surface of a buoyancy panel. An inner fabric panel, comprising an inner panel surface area, would be used to cover an inner surface of the buoyancy panel. In various exemplary embodiments, the outer panel surface area would be greater than inner panel surface area. That is, the outer panel will comprise a greater number of square inches of fabric than will the inner panel.
For example, with reference to
In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, shaped, or “contoured,” fabric pieces will be used to cover the sides of the buoyant panel that is being curved or shaped. The shaped, or “contoured,” side fabric pieces will be used to join the inner and outer fabric panels together. It will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that joining a larger surface area outer fabric panel to a smaller surface area inner fabric panel using shaped, or “contoured,” side pieces will create a three-dimensional, convex curvature of the buoyancy panel. The resulting three-dimensionally curved fabric-covered buoyancy panel will comprise a convex outer buoyancy panel surface and a concave inner buoyancy panel surface.
For example, with reference to
4. Pivot Waist Belt
With reference to
Exemplary right waist belt portion 50 comprises an exemplary right tapered belt portion 58. Exemplary left waist belt portion 60 comprises an exemplary left tapered belt portion 68. Exemplary right tapered belt portion 58 and exemplary left tapered belt portion 68 each comprise a fabric envelope that encases buoyant material. In the exemplary embodiment, the fabric envelopes of exemplary right tapered belt portion 58 and exemplary left tapered belt portion 68 also encase a shaped sheet of plastic that, among other things, helps maintain the shape of the belt. Exemplary right tapered belt portion 58 comprises an upper surface 87 (see
With reference to
Returning with reference to
A left adjustable strap 65 is fastened, such as by sewing, in the middle of the upper surface 88 of exemplary left tapered belt portion 68; a left buckle-means-engaging end 64 of left adjustable strap 65 extends beyond the left free end 69 of exemplary left tapered belt portion 68. In the exemplary embodiment, the left buckle-means-engaging end 64 of left adjustable strap 65 is threaded through a buckle receiving means 66.
With reference to
Because of the aforementioned similarity of connection of left attachable end 84, the connection of left attachable end 84 by means of exemplary pivoting connection 70′ will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art to be done as described further below, as similarly depicted in
With reference to
An enlarged view taken along line A-A in
As depicted in
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to exemplary right tapered belt portion 58 depicted in
With reference to exemplary left tapered belt portion 68 (of exemplary left waist belt portion 60 as depicted in, e.g.
In the exemplary embodiment, metal rings 53 and 53′ are “D” rings. As depicted in
Further, it will be understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that when the buckle means (elements 56 and 66) is properly adjusted, the fastening of the buckle means (56 and 66) securely attaches the main back panel 2 to the waist of the wearer. The proper adjustment and buckling of the left and right waist belt portions, 60 and 50 respectively, around the waist of a wearer, especially when combined with proper adjustment of adjustable right side strap 12 and adjustable left side strap 15 (see element 15 in
A properly adjusted PFD featuring an exemplary embodiment of the exemplary pivot belt (comprising exemplary left and right waist belt portions, 60 and 50 respectively), would tend to keep the main back buoyancy panel 2 of the PFD in an optimal position for keeping a wearer's head out of the water. That is because the main back buoyancy panel 2 would be kept lower on the body, as compared to riding up on the body, because the pivot belt tends to hold the main back buoyancy panel 2 down on the body.
It will be further understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that the exemplary configuration of exemplary pivoting connections 70/70′ using fabric tabs 51/51′ and 52/52′, both looped over a portion of metal D-rings 53/53′, is exemplary and non-limiting of the present invention. It will be yet further understood by someone with ordinary skill in the art that pivoting connections 70 and 70′ could be provided using alternative components, whether now known, or in the future discovered.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment, portions of the pivot belt would pass through or otherwise be connected to the front panels of the PFD; adjustable shoulder straps and adjustable side straps would allow the front panels to be positionally adjusted, and also, therefore, allow the portions of the pivot belt to pivotally adjust, to the location of the waist of the wearer.
5. Sliced Foam Panels and Sliced Foam Panels in Differentially Cut Pre-Curved Fabric Housing
With reference to
With reference to
In the exemplary embodiment, slits 101 completely penetrate the entire thickness of upper panel 100 of buoyant material from the outer surface of upper panel 100 of buoyant material to the inner surface of upper panel 100 of buoyant material. The slits 101 in upper panel 100 of buoyant material form “ribs” 103 integral to upper panel 100 of buoyant material. Exemplary upper panel 100 of buoyant material is sliced in a pattern.
In
Exemplary upper panel 100 of buoyant material shown in
Slitting the upper panel 100 of buoyant material in the exemplary pattern shown allows the buoyant material to expand and conform to a wearer's chest. Further, slitting the upper panel 100 of buoyant material in the exemplary pattern shown improves the fit and comfort of the vest, accommodating a wide variety of shapes and sizes of different wearers.
In the exemplary embodiment, sliced upper panel 100 of buoyant material is inserted and sealed between differentially cut outer and inner fabric layers. That is, similar to the manner described previously above with respect to inner panel 30 (referencing, for example
In the exemplary embodiment, encasing the slit upper panel 100 of buoyant material in between the differentially cut inner and outer layers of fabric 153, 152 respectively, joined with insert shaped side piece 210, physically translates ribs 103 away from each other, thereby forming a three-dimensional curvature in upper left front for a comfortable and effective fit over the three-dimensional shape of a wearer's body.
As depicted in
In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the slit upper panel 100 could be encased between an inner layer of fabric and an outer layer of fabric such that the slit upper panel 100 would be “relaxed”—that is, such that, at the time of assembly, the slit upper panel 100 would be substantially flat, not curved. In a relaxed position, the ribs 103 formed between the slits 101 would be substantially parallel to each other and would not be translated away from each other. In the alternative exemplary embodiment, the inner layer of fabric and the outer layer of fabric could be joined together at their respective peripheral edges, such as by sewing, loosely encasing the slit upper panel 100.
6. Upper Chamber and Lower Chamber Separated by a Baffle System
With reference to
In the exemplary embodiment, with reference to
First distal end 181 of first baffle strap 170 is stitched (not shown) to a first inner portion of the inner surface (not shown) of outer fabric layer 152 (shown in
With reference to
With reference to
In the exemplary embodiment, with reference to
In the exemplary embodiment, the various points of attachment of baffle straps 170, 171 to the inner fabric layer 153 (at points 172, 173, 174, and 175) and of distal ends 181 and 182 of baffle straps 170, 171 to the inner surface of outer fabric layer 152 (shown in
The baffle system separates the first lower chamber layer 102 of buoyant material from the second lower chamber layer 180 of buoyant material. The baffle system holds the first lower chamber layer 102 of buoyant material close to the inner fabric layer 153.
The baffle system supports the upper panel 100 of buoyant material in the upper chamber 151, keeping the upper panel 100 of buoyant material from sliding down into the lower chamber 150.
7. Tapered, or “Skived” Edges of Buoyant Material
In the exemplary embodiment, some edges of the back and/or front panels of buoyant material are tapered, or “skived,” to soften the edges and provide a more comfortable fit.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection by the copyright owner, Patagonia, Inc. and its successors and assigns. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTSAlthough this invention has been described in certain specific embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Moreover, to those skilled in the various arts, the invention itself herein will suggest solutions to other tasks and adaptations for other applications. Thus, the embodiments of the invention described herein should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents rather than the foregoing description.
Claims
1. A floatation panel for a personal floatation device, said floatation panel comprising:
- a first panel of fabric having a first surface area and a peripheral edge;
- a second panel of fabric having a second surface area and a peripheral edge;
- a panel of buoyant material, the panel of buoyant material comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a peripheral edge, and a plurality of slits that pierce the panel of buoyant material from the outer surface to the inner surface, wherein the plurality of slits form a plurality of ribs between the slits;
- wherein the panel of buoyant material is loosely encased between the first panel of fabric and the second panel of fabric, wherein the first panel of fabric is disposed to cover the outer surface of the panel of buoyant material, and wherein the second panel of fabric is disposed to cover the inner surface.
2. The floatation panel of claim 1, wherein each slit of the plurality of slits is substantially parallel to each other slit of the plurality of slits.
3. The floatation panel of claim 1, wherein the panel of buoyant material is encased between the first panel of fabric and the second panel of fabric in a substantially relaxed state, such that the ribs formed between the slits are substantially flat.
4. The floatation panel of claim 1, wherein each slit of the plurality of slits is substantially parallel to each other slit of the plurality of slits, and wherein the ribs are disposed to translate away from each other when the floatation panel is disposed over a curved object.
5. The floatation panel of claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge of the first panel of fabric is attached to the peripheral edge of the second panel of fabric.
6. The floatation panel of claim 5, wherein each slit of the plurality of slits is substantially parallel to each other slit of the plurality of slits, and wherein the peripheral edge of the panel of buoyant material is free of slits.
7. The floatation panel of claim 6, wherein the ribs are disposed to translate away from each other when the panel of buoyant material is disposed over a curved object.
8. The floatation panel of claim 1, wherein the floatation panel comprises a front floatation panel selected from the group consisting of: a right front floatation panel of a personal floatation device, and a left front floatation panel of the personal floatation device.
9. A back floatation panel for a personal floatation device, said back floatation panel comprising:
- a back inner floatation panel in a first plane, the back inner floatation panel comprising a top, a bottom, a left side and a right side, the back inner floatation panel further comprising a back inner buoyancy panel encased in a back inner floatation panel fabric cover;
- a back outer floatation panel in a second plane parallel to the first plane, the back outer floatation panel comprising a top, a bottom, a left side and a right side, the back outer floatation panel further comprising a back outer buoyancy panel encased in a back outer floatation panel fabric cover;
- a first connection between at least a portion of the top of the back inner floatation panel and at least a portion of the top of the back outer floatation panel;
- a second connection between at least a portion of the bottom of the back inner floatation panel and at least a portion of the bottom of the back outer floatation panel; and
- a third connection between at least a portion of a first side of the back inner floatation panel and at least a portion of a first side of the back outer floatation panel, wherein the first side of the back inner floatation panel is selected from a group consisting of the left side of the back inner floatation panel and the right side of the back inner floatation panel.
10. The back floatation panel for a personal floatation device of claim 9, said back floatation panel further comprising:
- a fourth connection between at least a portion of a second side of the back inner floatation panel and at least a portion of a second side of the back outer floatation panel; wherein the second side of the back inner floatation panel is selected from a group consisting of the left side of the back inner floatation panel and the right side of the back inner floatation panel.
11. A floatation panel for a personal floatation device, said floatation panel comprising:
- a panel of buoyant material, the panel of buoyant material comprising an outer surface, an inner surface and a peripheral edge;
- a first panel of fabric having a first surface area and a peripheral edge;
- a second panel of fabric having a second surface area and a peripheral edge, wherein the second surface area is smaller than the first surface area;
- a piece of fabric;
- wherein the first panel is disposed to cover the outer surface of the panel of buoyant material, wherein the second panel is disposed to cover the inner surface, wherein the piece of fabric is disposed to cover the peripheral edge of the panel of buoyant material, wherein the piece of fabric connects the peripheral edge of the first panel to the peripheral edge of the second panel, and wherein the piece of fabric connecting the peripheral edge of the first panel to the peripheral edge of the second panel bows the buoyant material.
12. The floatation panel for a personal floatation device of claim 11, wherein the panel of buoyant material further comprises at least one slice that pierces the panel of buoyant material from the outer surface to the inner surface.
13. The floatation panel for a personal floatation device of claim 11, wherein the peripheral edge of the panel of buoyant material is tapered.
14. A floatation panel for a personal floatation device, said floatation panel comprising:
- an upper buoyancy panel comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, and a peripheral edge;
- a lower buoyancy panel comprising an outer surface, an inner surface and a peripheral edge;
- a fabric shell encasing the upper buoyancy panel and the lower buoyancy panel, wherein the fabric shell comprises an outer fabric panel and an inner fabric panel, wherein the outer fabric panel comprise a first surface area, wherein the inner fabric panel comprises a second surface area, and wherein the first surface area of the outer fabric panel is larger than the second surface area of the inner fabric panel; and
- a baffle system disposed between the upper buoyancy panel and the lower buoyancy panel.
15. The floatation panel of claim 14, wherein the baffle system comprises at least one strap, wherein the at least one strap comprises a first end, a middle portion, a connection portion, and a second end, wherein the first end of the at least one strap is connected to a baffle-supporting fabric panel selected from a group consisting of: the outer fabric panel and the inner fabric panel.
16. The floatation panel of claim 15, wherein the middle portion of the strap is disposed across a strapped buoyancy panel selected from a group consisting of: the upper buoyancy panel and the lower buoyancy panel.
17. The floatation panel of claim 16, wherein the connection portion of the at least one strap is connected to the baffle-supporting fabric panel, and wherein the second end of the at least one strap is connected to the other fabric panel.
18. The floatation panel for a personal floatation device of claim 14, wherein the upper buoyancy panel comprises at least one slice that pierces the buoyancy panel from the outer surface to the inner surface.
19. A personal floatation device, said personal floatation device comprising:
- a back floatation panel comprising a right side and a left side;
- a right pivot connection attached to the right side of the back floatation panel;
- a left pivot connection attached to the left side of the back floatation panel;
- a right pivot belt portion attached to the right pivot connection, the right pivot belt portion comprising a right buckle device; and
- a left pivot belt portion attached to the left pivot connection, the left pivot belt portion comprising a left buckle device.
20. A personal floatation device, said personal floatation device comprising:
- a front left floatation panel;
- a front right floatation panel;
- a back floatation panel; and
- a belt pivotally connected to the back floatation panel.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 17, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 14, 2008
Inventors: Philip DeRiemer (Lotus, CA), Michael Scherer (Louisville, CO), Steven Swartzendruber (Santa Barbara, CA)
Application Number: 11/879,389
International Classification: B63C 9/08 (20060101);