PERSONAL LOCATION INDICATING ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY AND PERSONAL FLOTATION LIFEJACKET CONSTRUCTED THEREWITH

Abstract

A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket includes a brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering formed with attachment straps to secure the covering with respect to an exterior outer surface of a back of the personal flotation life jacket. A brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag is secured to the covering and extends outwardly with respect to the covering and the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation life jacket, and cooperates with the covering to improve the ability of onlookers to visually identify a user wearing the personal flotation lifejacket during aquatic recreational activity, such as boating, waterskiing, or the like, and who may be floating in a body of water.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to personal flotation lifejackets and, more particularly, to a personal location indicating attachment assembly used in conjunction with a personal flotation lifejacket to provide onlookers with improved visibility of a user wearing the personal flotation lifejacket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recreational and professional activities bring people in contact with water everyday. Safety on and near the water is an issue for the weekend sail boater as well as for military and rescue personnel. Flotation devices are an important part of water safety. Full-body, industrial survival suits and simple water ski belts are two extremes in the family of personal flotation devices available.

Although they differ tremendously in the amount of protection, the goal of all safety apparel is survival. Life vests and life jackets are technically known as PFDs, short for personal flotation devices. They are designed to keep an individual afloat in the water in the event of an emergency and are considered life-saving equipment. The main function of a PFD is to keep a person on the water's surface in a relatively upright position to allow the person to breathe and not have to tread water to stay afloat. United States Coast Guard regulations require a boat to carry at least one Coast Guard approved PFD per person, including one for each person water skiing.

There are five categories of Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices. Each of the five categories provide different flotation and body positioning specifications. Types I and II PFDs are full- and half-length vests designed to turn an unconscious person from a face-down position to a vertical or slightly head-back position floating in the water. These vests are usually big and bulky. A type IH PFD, most commonly used in recreational activities, is also a buoyant vest or jacket. This type is designed to keep a conscious person afloat in a vertical or slightly head-back position. This type comes in many styles and is the most comfortable. A further difference in the I, II, and III types is that the specific degree of buoyancy required increases from type III to type I. Throwable devices such as a ring buoy or the buoyant cushion typically used by boaters as a cushion for sitting are considered Type IV. Type V PFDs are special-purpose devices for aircraft pilots who fly over water, rafters, and ferryboat pilots.

A problem with PFDs, particularly type IH PFDs used in recreational activities, is that a user afloat in the water while wearing a PFD is not easily visually identifiable and are often hit by boats and other forms of personal water craft, and are difficult to visually locate by searchers, whether by air from airplanes or helicopters or from rescue boats on the water. Accordingly, what is needed is a personal location indicating attachment for a PFD that greatly improves the visibility of a user wearing the PFD both in and out of the water, and that does not impede the function and use of the PFD.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, a location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket includes a brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering including opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends. The upper end of the covering has a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering, and the lower end of the covering has a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering. A strap is attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections. Each of the straps has an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end. An engagement assembly is formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps. The engagement assemblies are operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops to secure a personal flotation lifejacket, including a back having an exterior outer surface, to hold and retain the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket. A brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag has a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly from the outer face of the covering to an opposed outer end. The engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap. The covering has a length extending from the upper end to the lower end, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering. In an alternate embodiment, the covering has a width extending from the first side to the second side, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering. In one embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with stitching. In an alternate embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener assembly formed between the covering and the flag is a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag.

According to the principle of the invention, a combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket includes a personal flotation lifejacket, which includes a top and an opposed bottom, opposed sides, and a back, having an exterior outer surface, extending between the top and the opposed bottom and between the opposed sides. A brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering includes opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends. The upper end of the covering has a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering, and the lower end of the covering has a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering. A strap is attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections. Each of the straps has an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end. An engagement assembly is formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps. The engagement assemblies are operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops loopingly securing the personal flotation lifejacket at the top and the bottom of the personal flotation lifejacket holding and retaining the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket and the covering extending between the top and bottom and the opposed sides of the personal flotation device. A brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag has a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly with respect to the outer face of the covering and the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket to an opposed outer end. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap. In a particular embodiment, the covering has a length extending from the upper end to the lower end, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering. In an alternate embodiment, the covering has a width extending from the first side to the second side, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering. In a preferred embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with stitching. In an alternate embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag. The fastener assembly formed between the covering and the flag is a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag. In one embodiment the covering has a first width extending from the first side to the second side of the covering, the back having a second width extending between the sides of the personal flotation lifejacket, and the first width is substantially coextensive with respect to the second width. In another embodiment, the covering has a first length extending from the first side to the second side of the covering, the back has a second length extending between the top and bottom of the personal flotation lifejacket, and the first length is substantially coextensive with respect to the second length.

According to the principle of the invention, a combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket includes a personal flotation lifejacket, which includes a top and an opposed bottom, opposed sides, a back, having an exterior outer surface, extending between the top and the opposed bottom and between the opposed sides, opposed shoulder straps formed at the top, and securement belts formed at the bottom. A brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering includes opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends. The upper end of the covering has a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering, and the lower end of the covering has a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering. A strap is attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections. Each of the straps has an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end. An engagement assembly is formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps. The engagement assemblies are operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops loopingly securing the shoulder straps and the securement belts of the personal flotation lifejacket holding and retaining the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket and the covering extending between the top and bottom and the opposed sides of the personal flotation device. A brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag has a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly with respect to the outer face of the covering and the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket to an opposed outer end. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap. In a particular embodiment, the covering has a length extending from the upper end to the lower end, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering. In another embodiment, the covering has a width extending from the first side to the second side, and the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering. In one embodiment, the flag is secured to the covering with stitching. In another embodiment, the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag. The fastener assembly formed between the covering and the flag is preferably a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag. The covering has a first width extending from the first side to the second side of the covering, the back has a second width extending between the sides of the personal flotation lifejacket, and the first width is substantially coextensive with respect to the second width. In an alternate embodiment, the covering has a first length extending from the first side to the second side of the covering, the back has a second length extending between the top and bottom of the personal flotation lifejacket, and the first length is substantially coextensive with respect to the second length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is front elevation of a personal location indicator assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the personal location indicator assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the personal location indicator assembly of FIG. 1 show as it would appear with straps formed in a covering of the personal location indicator assembly in closed positions forming engagement or attachment loops;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the personal location indicator assembly of FIG. 1 shown as it would appear attached to a personal flotation device forming a combination personal indicator and personal flotation device assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user waterskiing and shown wearing the combination personal indicator and personal flotation device assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a user afloat in water while wearing the combination personal indicator and personal flotation device assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a personal location indicator assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, the personal location indicator assembly including a covering, a flag and a fastener assembly formed between the flag and the covering, and the flag is shown detached with respect to the covering;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the personal location indicator assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the fastener assembly securing the flag to the covering;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a personal location indicator assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with yet another alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a user afloat in water while wearing a combination personal indicator and personal flotation device assembly that includes the personal location indicator assembly of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of a personal location indicator assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with yet a further alternate embodiment of the invention, the personal location indicator assembly including a covering, a flag and a fastener assembly formed between the flag and the covering, and the flag is shown detached with respect to the covering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2, in which there is seen a personal location indicator assembly 20 constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention including a broad, flat, pliant covering 21 including an inner face 22 (shown only in FIG. 2), an opposed outer face 23 (shown only in FIG. 1), opposed upper and lower ends 24 and 25, and opposed sides 26 and 27 extending between upper end 24 and opposed lower end 25. Upper end 24 of covering 21 has a an intermediate section 30 and opposed shoulders or shoulder sections 31 and 32 formed on either side of intermediate section 30 proximate to sides 26 and 27, respectively, of covering 21. Lower end 25 of covering 21 has, in turn, an intermediate section 40 and opposed hips or hip sections 41 and 42 formed on either side of intermediate portion 40 proximate to sides 26 and 27, respectively, of covering 21.

Covering 21 is formed of a pliant, rugged and tear-resistant material, such as woven nylon or other like or similar pliant, strong, rugged and tear-resistant material or combination of materials. Covering 21 is made of a single piece of material, but in alternate embodiments may be made as an assembly of two or more pieces of material bonded together, such as by sewing, adhesive, heat bonding, or the like. Covering 21 is also brightly colored, and is preferably bright orange, but may, in alternate embodiments, be bright yellow, bright orange or other bright, easily seen color or combination of colors.

Shoulder straps 34 and 35 are attached to shoulder sections 31 and 32, respectively, of covering 21, and hip straps 44 and 45 are attached to hip sections 41 and 42, respectively, of covering 21. Straps 34, 35, 44, and 45 are formed of a pliant, rugged and tear resistant material, such as woven nylon or other like or similar pliant, strong, rugged and tear-resistant material or combination of materials.

Strap 34 has an inner end 34A secured or otherwise attached to shoulder section 31 as shown in FIG. 2, and extends outwardly therefrom to an opposed outer end 34B illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this particular example, inner end 34A of strap 34 is applied to inner face 22 of covering 21 at shoulder section 31, and is secured to covering 21 with sewing indicated by stitching 50 in FIG. 2, although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end 34A of strap 34 in place to covering 21. An engagement assembly is formed between covering 21 and outer end 34B of strap 34, which is operable to configure strap 34 between an open position with respect to shoulder section 31 of covering 21 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending outwardly from shoulder section 31 of covering 21, and a closed position with respect to shoulder section 31 of covering 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 forming an attachment or engagement loop denoted at 51 at shoulder section 31 of covering 21. The engagement assembly formed between covering 21 and outer end 34A of strap is, as shown in FIG. 1, a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element 54 thereof formed in covering 21 at shoulder section 31, and a complementing element 55 thereof formed in outer end 34B of strap 31. In this example, element 54 is applied to outer face 23 of covering 21 at shoulder section 31. To form loop 51 denoted in FIG. 3, outer end 54B is looped about toward shoulder section 31 and complementing element 55 is applied to element 54 securing outer end 34B of strap 34 to shoulder section 31 of covering 21 forming loop 51. To open strap 34 from this closed position shown in FIG. 3, outer end 34B need only be forcibly pulled away from shoulder section 31 to detach complementing element 55 formed in outer end 34B of strap 34 from element 54 formed in shoulder section 31 of covering 21 thereby moving strap 34 back to the open position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending outwardly from covering 21. As a matter of example, element 54 is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener and element 55 is the corresponding hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired.

Strap 35 has an inner end 35A secured or otherwise attached to shoulder section 32 as shown in FIG. 2, and extends outwardly therefrom to an opposed outer end 35B illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this particular example, inner end 35A of strap 35 is applied to inner face 22 of covering 21 at shoulder section 32, and is secured to covering 21 with sewing indicated by stitching 60 in FIG. 2, although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end 35A of strap 35 in place to covering 21. An engagement assembly is formed between covering 21 and outer end 35B of strap 35, which is operable to configure strap 35 between an open position with respect to shoulder section 32 of covering 21 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending outwardly from shoulder section 32 of covering 21, and a closed position with respect to shoulder section 32 of covering 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 forming an attachment or engagement loop denoted at 61 at shoulder section 32 of covering 21. The engagement assembly formed between covering 21 and outer end 35A of strap is, as shown in FIG. 1, a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element 64 thereof formed in covering 21 at shoulder section 32, and a complementing element 65 thereof formed in outer end 35B of strap 32. In this example, element 64 is applied to outer face 23 of covering 21 at shoulder section 32. To form loop 61 denoted in FIG. 3, outer end 64B is looped about toward shoulder section 32 and complementing element 65 is applied to element 64 securing outer end 35B of strap 35 to shoulder section 32 of covering 21 forming loop 61. To open strap 35 from this closed position shown in FIG. 3, outer end 35B need only be forcibly pulled away from shoulder section 32 to detach complementing element 65 formed in outer end 35B of strap 35 from element 64 formed in shoulder section 32 of covering 21 thereby moving strap 35 back to the open position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending outwardly from covering 21. As a matter of example, element 64 is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener and element 65 is the corresponding hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired.

Strap 44 has an inner end 44A secured or otherwise attached to hip section 41 as shown in FIG. 2, and extends outwardly therefrom to an opposed outer end 44B illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this particular example, inner end 44A of strap 44 is applied to inner face 22 of covering 21 at hip section 41, and is secured to covering 21 with sewing indicated by stitching 70 in FIG. 2, although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end 44A of strap 44 in place to covering 21. An engagement assembly is formed between covering 21 and outer end 44B of strap 44, which is operable to configure strap 44 between an open position with respect to hip section 41 of covering 21 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending outwardly from hip section 41 of covering 21, and a closed position with respect to hip section 41 of covering 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 forming an attachment or engagement loop denoted at 71 at hip section 41 of covering 21. The engagement assembly formed between covering 21 and outer end 44A of strap is, as shown in FIG. 1, a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element 74 thereof formed in covering 21 at hip section 41, and a complementing element 75 thereof formed in outer end 44B of strap 41. In this example, element 74 is applied to outer face 23 of covering 21 at hip section 41. To form loop 71 denoted in FIG. 3, outer end 74B is looped about toward hip section 41 and complementing element 75 is applied to element 74 securing outer end 44B of strap 44 to hip section 41 of covering 21 forming loop 71. To open strap 44 from this closed position shown in FIG. 3, outer end 44B need only be forcibly pulled away from hip section 41 to detach complementing element 75 formed in outer end 44B of strap 44 from element 74 formed in hip section 41 of covering 21 thereby moving strap 44 back to the open position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending outwardly from covering 21. As a matter of example, element 74 is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener and element 75 is the corresponding hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired.

Strap 45 has an inner end 45A secured or otherwise attached to hip section 42 as shown in FIG. 2, and extends outwardly therefrom to an opposed outer end 45B illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this particular example, inner end 45A of strap 45 is applied to inner face 22 of covering 21 at hip section 42, and is secured to covering 21 with sewing indicated by stitching 80 in FIG. 2, although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end 45A of strap 45 in place to covering 21. An engagement assembly is formed between covering 21 and outer end 45B of strap 45, which is operable to configure strap 45 between an open position with respect to hip section 42 of covering 21 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending outwardly from hip section 42 of covering 21, and a closed position with respect to hip section 42 of covering 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 forming an attachment or engagement loop denoted at 81 at hip section 42 of covering 21. The engagement assembly formed between covering 21 and outer end 45A of strap is, as shown in FIG. 1, a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element 84 thereof formed in covering 21 at hip section 42, and a complementing element 85 thereof formed in outer end 45B of strap 42. In this example, element 84 is applied to outer face 23 of covering 21 at hip section 42. To form loop 81 denoted in FIG. 3, outer end 84B is looped about toward hip section 42 and complementing element 85 is applied to element 84 securing outer end 45B of strap 45 to hip section 42 of covering 21 forming loop 81. To open strap 45 from this closed position shown in FIG. 3, outer end 45B need only be forcibly pulled away from hip section 42 to detach complementing element 85 formed in outer end 45B of strap 45 from element 84 formed in hip section 42 of covering 21 thereby moving strap 45 back to the open position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 extending outwardly from covering 21. As a matter of example, element 84 is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener and element 85 is the corresponding hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired.

Referencing FIG. 1, assembly 20 is formed with a broad, elongate, pliant flag 90, which has a inner end 91 secured to covering 21 at a substantially intermediate location with respect to opposed upper and lower ends 24 and 25 and opposed sides 26 and 27, and which extends outwardly from outer face 23 of covering 21 to an opposed outer end 92. Flag 90 is formed of a pliant, rugged and tear-resistant material, such as nylon or other like or similar pliant, strong, rugged and tear-resistant material or combination of materials. Flag 90 is made of a single piece of material, and in alternate embodiments be made as an assembly of two or more pieces of material bonded together, such as by sewing, adhesive, heat bonding, or the like. Flag 90 is also brightly colored, and is preferably bright orange, but may, in alternate embodiments, be bright yellow, bright orange or other bright, easily seen color or combination of colors. In the present embodiment, flag 90 is vertically oriented and inner end 91 of flag 90 is elongate and is vertically oriented such that inner end 91 extends along substantially the entire length of covering 21 vertically from upper end 24 of covering 21 at intermediate section 30 to lower end 25 of covering 21 at intermediate section 40 and at intermediate position with respect to opposed sides 26 and 27 of covering 21 as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1. In this particular example, inner end 91 of flag 90 is applied to outer face 23 of covering 21 as shown in FIG. 1, and is secured to outer face 23 of covering 21 with sewing indicated by stitching 93, although adhesive, heat bonding, or other fastening technique may be used to secure inner end 91 of flag 90 in place to covering 21. Also, flag 90 may be integrally formed with covering 21 if so desired so as to form an extension of covering 21.

Assembly 20 is used in conjunction with a personal flotation device (PFD) illustrated in FIG. 4, which is provided in the form of a buoyant vest or lifejacket 100 of type IH PFD, which, as explained previously, is most commonly used in recreational activities and which is designed to keep a conscious person 101 wearing lifejacket 100 as shown in FIG. 6 afloat in water in a vertical or slightly head-back position. As seen in FIG. 4, personal flotation lifejacket 100 has a top 110 and an opposed bottom 111, opposed sides 112 and 113, a back 114, having an exterior outer surface 115, extending between top 110 and opposed bottom 111 and between opposed sides 112 and 113, opposed shoulder straps 116 and 117 formed at top 110, and securement belts 118 formed at bottom 111 used to enwrap person 101 wearing lifejacket 100 in the well-known and customary manner to secure lifejacket 100 to person 101. Lifejacket 100 and the use thereof are entirely conventional and notoriously well known and will not be described in further detail as such details will readily occur to the skilled artisan. Although lifejacket 100 as disclosed has two securement belts 118, it can have less or more depending on specific needs, and this is common in the art.

The application of assembly 20 in conjunction with lifejacket 100 is shown in FIG. 4, and the combination of assembly 20 and lifejacket 100 forms a personal location indicating lifejacket assembly, in accordance with the principle of the invention. To apply assembly 20 to lifejacket 100, assembly 20 is taken up and inner face 22 of covering 21 is set across exterior outer surface 115 and is substantially centered across back 114 between top 110 and bottom 111 and between sides 112 and 113 of lifejacket 110. Properly addressed on exterior outer surface 115 of back 114, upper end 24 is located proximate to top 110 and shoulder sections 31 and 32 are located proximate to shoulder straps 116 and 117, and covering 21 extends downwardly therefrom to lower end 25 directed toward securement belts 118 and bottom 111, side 26 of covering 21 is located proximate to side 112 of lifejacket 100, and side 27 of covering 21 is located proximate to side 113 of lifejacket 100. So secure assembly 20 in place to lifejacket 100, strap 34 is looped around shoulder strap 116 and is closed forming loop 51 loopingly securing shoulder strap 116, strap 35 is looped around shoulder strap 117 and is closed forming loop 61 loopingly securing shoulder strap 117, strap 44 is looped around securement belts 118 and is closed forming loop 71 loopingly securing securement belts 118, and strap 45 is looped around securement belts 118 and is closed forming loop 81 loopingly securing securement belts 118. Although loops 71 and 81 are formed around both securement belts 118, loops 71 and 81 can each be formed around just one of securement belts 118 if desired. With assembly 20 so secured in place along exterior outer surface 115 of back 114, flag 90 extends outwardly from outer face 23 of covering 21 and exterior outer surface 115 of back 114, and the brightly colored characteristics of covering 21 and flag 90, in addition to flag 90 projecting outwardly and away from back 114 of lifejacket 110, greatly improves the overall visibility of lifejacket 100 and thus of person 101 wearing lifejacket 100 with assembly 20 attached thereto as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Flag 90 is a prominent feature of assembly 20, which is dictated not only by its size with respect to covering 21, but also its bright color as herein specifically disclosed, and when flag 90 waves behind a person wearing lifejacket 100 with assembly 20 attached is notoriously visible by onlookers. In fact, flag 90 has an overall length from inner end 91 to outer end 92 that is approximately double the length of covering from upper end 24 to lower end 25.

The attributes of assembly 90 provide useful benefits. First, when person 101 wearing lifejacket 100 with assembly 20 attached thereto as shown in FIG. 5 is engaged in a recreational activity, such as waterskiing as shown, the brightly colored attributes of covering 21 and flag 90 improves the ability of onlookers to see person 101 and exercise the appropriate level of caution. Furthermore, during waterskiing and other forms of recreation wind will catch flag 90 and cause it to extend and wave outwardly behind person 101 thereby increasing the overall profile of person 101 further improving the ability of onlookers to see person 101 and exercise the appropriate level of caution. Flag 90 is broad and long and easily seen when waving behind person 101 as seen in FIG. 5. Preferably, the length of flag 90 from inner end 91 to outer end 92 is longer that each of the length and the width of covering 21, which allows it to be easily seen when waving behind person 101, such as illustrated in FIG. 5. Should person 101 wearing lifejacket 100 with assembly 20 attached thereto find himself afloat in a body of water as shown in FIG. 6, the brightly colored attributes of covering 21 and flag 90 and the provision of flag 90 extending outwardly into the water increasing the overall profile of person 101 greatly improves the ability of onlookers to see and locate person 100 afloat in the body of water, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Because flag 90 is vertically arranged with respect to covering 21 in assembly 20, flag 90 extends vertically outward into the water. Flag 90 is elongate and outer end 92 is tapered such that flag 90 has an elongate and general triangular shape. Flag 90 can take on other shapes and forms as may be desired. Although assembly 20 incorporates one flag, more can be used if desired.

Covering 21 covers a majority of exterior outer surface 115 of back 114. Covering 21 has a length that extends between upper and lower ends 34 and 35 along the midsection of covering 21 between sides 26 and 27 at intermediate sections 30 and 40, and covering 21 has a width extending between sides 26 and 27 at an intermediate location with respect to upper and lower ends 24 and 25. Back 114 of lifejacket 100 has a length that extends between top 110 and bottom 111 along the midsection of back 114 between sides 112 and 113, and back 114 has a width extending between sides 112 and 113 at an intermediate location with respect to top 110 and bottom 111. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the width of covering 21 is substantially coextensive with respect to the width of back 114, and the length of covering 21 is substantially coextensive with respect to the length of back 114 extending from top 110 of lifejacket 100 toward bottom 111 of lifejacket 100 proximate to securement belts 118, and this provides coverage of the majority of exterior outer surface 115 of back 114 by covering 21 and, thus, provides a broad profile of covering 21 with respect to back 114 to provide improved visibility by onlookers.

As previously discussed, inner end 90 of flag 90 is secured to covering 21 with stitching 93 shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, a fastener assembly may be used to secure flag 90 in place to allow flag 90 to be removed for repair or cleaning and then reattached, and which also allows flag 90 to be removed and replaced with a new flag should the need arise. To disclose this aspect, attention is now directed to FIG. 7 which illustrates an alternate embodiment of a personal location indicator assembly 130. In common with assembly 20, assembly 130 shares covering 21, straps 34, 35, 44, and 45, the engagement assemblies formed between straps 34, 35, 44, and 45, and covering 21, and flag 90, including inner and outer ends 91 and 92. In this example, a fastener assembly is formed between covering an inner end 91 of flag 90, which is operable to detachably secure inner end 91 of flag 90 to covering 21, and this is the only structural difference between assembly 130 and assembly 20, in which case the foregoing discussion of assembly 20 applies to assembly 130 in every respect. In assembly 130, the fastener assembly formed between covering 21 and inner end 91 of flag is a hook and loop fastener, such as the type founder under the trademark Velcro, including an element 131 thereof formed in outer face 23 of covering 21, a complementing element 132 thereof formed in inner end 91 of flag. FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of assembly 130 illustrating element 131 formed in covering 21 engaged to complementing element 132 formed in inner end 91 of flag 90 detachably securing inner end 91 of flag 90 to covering 21. In this example, element 131 is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener, and complementing element 132 is the corresponding hook section of the hook and loop fastener, and this can be reversed if so desired. Complementing element 132 formed in inner end 91 of flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of inner end 91 of flag 90, and element 131 formed in covering 21 is substantially coextensive with respect to complementing element 132.

In assembly 20, inner end 91 of flag 90 and flag 90 are vertically arranged with respect to covering 21 such that inner end 91 of flag 90 is vertically oriented extending from upper end 24 of covering 21 to lower end 24 of covering 21. In an alternate embodiment, flag 90 may be horizontally arranged with respect to covering 21, and this is illustrated in FIG. 9 showing another alternate embodiment of a personal location indicator assembly 140. In common with assembly 20, assembly 140 shares covering 21, straps 34, 35, 44, and 45, the engagement assemblies formed between straps 34, 35, 44, and 45, and covering 21, and flag 90, including inner end 91 secured or otherwise affixed to covering 21, such as with stitching 93, and outer end 92. In assembly 140, inner end 91 of flag 90 is secured horizontally and is, in addition to flag 90, horizontal with respect to covering 21. In this respect, inner end 91 of flag 90 extends along substantially the entire width of covering 21 from side 26 of covering 21 to side 27 of covering at an intermediate position with respect to opposed upper and lower ends 24 and 25 of covering. The horizontal attachment of inner end 91 of flag 90 to covering 21, and the associated horizontal orientation of flag 90 with respect to covering 21, are the the only structural difference between assembly 20 and assembly 140, in which case the foregoing discussion of assembly 20 applies to assembly 140 in every respect. Should person 101 wearing lifejacket 100 with assembly 140 attached thereto find himself afloat in a body of water as shown in FIG. 10, the brightly colored attributes of covering 21 and flag 90 and the provision of flag 90 extending outwardly into the water increasing the overall profile of person 101 greatly improves the ability of onlookers to see and locate person 100 afloat in the body of water, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Because flag 90 is horizontally arranged with respect to covering 21 in assembly 140, flag 90 extends horizontally outward into the water.

FIG. 11 illustrates yet a further alternate embodiment of a personal location indicator assembly 150 that, in common with assembly 130, shares covering 21, straps 34, 35, 44, and 45, the engagement assemblies formed between straps 34, 35, 44, and 45, and covering 21, and flag 90, including inner and outer ends 91 and 92, and fastener assembly, including element 131 and complementing element 132, formed between covering an inner end 91 of flag 90. In assembly 150, flag 90 horizontally arranged with respect to covering 21 as in assembly 140. As such, element 131 is formed in outer face 23 of covering 21 and extends horizontally across the width of covering 21 from proximate to side 26 of covering 21 to proximate to side 27 of covering, and complementing element 132 is formed in inner end 91 of flag 90 engages element 131 to secure inner end 91 of flag 90 and flag 90 in a horizontal orientation with respect to covering 21 as discussed in connection with assembly 140. The operation of the fastener assembly between inner end 91 of flag 90 and covering 21 in assembly 150 is exactly as explained in connection with assembly 130.

The present invention is described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket, comprising:

a brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering including opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends;

the upper end having a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering;

the lower end having a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering;

a strap attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections, each of the straps having an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end;

an engagement assembly formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps, the engagement assemblies operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops to secure a personal flotation lifejacket, including a back having an exterior outer surface, to hold and retain the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket; and

a brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag having a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly with respect to the outer face of the covering to an opposed outer end.

2. A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 1, wherein the engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap.

3. A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 1, further comprising:

the covering having a length extending from the upper end to the lower end; and

the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering.

4. A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 1, further comprising:

the covering having a width extending from the first side to the second side; and

the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering.

5. A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 1, wherein the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with stitching.

6. A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 1, wherein the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag.

7. A location indicating attachment assembly for a personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 6, wherein the fastener assembly is a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag.

8. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket, comprising:

a personal flotation lifejacket, which includes a top and an opposed bottom, opposed sides, and a back, having an exterior outer surface, extending between the top and the opposed bottom and between the opposed sides;

a brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering including opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends;

the upper end having a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering;

the lower end having a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering;

a strap attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections, each of the straps having an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end;

an engagement assembly formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps, the engagement assemblies operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops loopingly securing the personal flotation lifejacket at the top and the bottom of the personal flotation lifejacket holding and retaining the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket and the covering extending between the top and bottom and the opposed sides of the personal flotation device; and

a brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag having a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly with respect to the outer face of the covering and the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket to an opposed outer end.

9. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 1, wherein the engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap.

10. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 8, further comprising:

the covering having a length extending from the upper end to the lower end; and

the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering.

11. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 8, further comprising:

the covering having a width extending from the first side to the second side; and

the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering.

12. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 8, wherein the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with stitching.

13. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 8, wherein the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag.

14. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 13, wherein the fastener assembly is a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag.

15. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket, comprising:

a personal flotation lifejacket, which includes a top and an opposed bottom, opposed sides, a back, having an exterior outer surface, extending between the top and the opposed bottom and between the opposed sides, opposed shoulder straps formed at the top, and at least one securement belt formed at the bottom;

a brightly colored, broad, flat, pliant covering including opposed inner and outer faces, opposed upper and lower ends, and opposed first and second sides extending between the opposed upper and lower ends;

the upper end having a first intermediate section and opposed first and second shoulder sections formed on either side of the first intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering;

the lower end having a second intermediate section and opposed first and second hip sections formed on either side of the second intermediate section proximate to the first and second sides, respectively, of the covering;

a strap attached to each of the first and second shoulder sections and the first and second hip sections, each of the straps having an inner end attached to the covering and an opposed outer end;

an engagement assembly formed between the covering and the outer end of each of the straps, the engagement assemblies operable to configure the straps between open positions with respect to the covering and closed positions with respect to the covering forming engagement loops loopingly securing the shoulder straps and the at least one securement belt of the personal flotation lifejacket holding and retaining the covering to the back of the personal flotation lifejacket with the inner face of the covering facing the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket and the covering extending between the top and bottom and the opposed sides of the personal flotation device; and

a brightly colored, broad, elongate, pliant flag having a inner end secured to the covering at a substantially intermediate location with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides, and which extends outwardly with respect to the outer face of the covering and the exterior outer surface of the back of the personal flotation lifejacket to an opposed outer end.

16. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 15, wherein the engagement assemblies are each a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the outer end of the respective strap.

17. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 15, further comprising:

the covering having a length extending from the upper end to the lower end; and

the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire length of the covering from the upper end to the lower end at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed first and second sides of the covering.

18. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 15, further comprising:

the covering having a width extending from the first side to the second side; and

the inner end of the flag is elongate and extends along substantially the entire width of the covering from the first side to the second side at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed upper and lower ends of the covering.

19. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 15, wherein the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with stitching.

20. A combination location indicating attachment assembly and personal flotation lifejacket according to claim 15, wherein the inner end of the flag is secured to the covering with a fastener assembly formed between the covering and the inner end of the flag, the fastener assembly comprising a hook and loop fastener including an element thereof formed in the covering and a complementing element thereof formed in the inner end of the flag.