PERSONAL WATER SAFETY DEVICE

Abstract

A personal water safety device comprising a strap and a housing secured to the strap. The housing releasably encloses a bladder and an inflation assembly. The bladder completely encloses the inflation assembly. The inflation assembly includes a gas container that provides gas to the bladder to inflate the bladder upon the selective deployment of gas from the gas container. The strap keeps the bladder secured to a user's appendage before and after inflation of the bladder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/273,184, filed Nov. 18, 2008, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/003,637, filed Nov. 19, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This application relates to a water safety device, and more particularly, to a compact selectively inflatable device for use during water activities.

2. Background of Related Art

Shore and near shore activities have always been popular, especially in warmer climates and during summer months. Persons of all ages and aquatic capabilities engage in a variety of pastimes including swimming, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, boogie-boarding, life guarding, etc. In performing these activities, people tend to rely on life jackets, buoys, kickboards, etc. Many of these activities are more suitably performed when unencumbered by bulky clothing or other prohibitive article that requires one to sacrifice maneuverability.

Although certain activities, extreme surfing for example, can produce greater risk, any activity performed in water has the potential for personal injury or even death. Therefore, a continued need to rely on water safety devices exits. Accordingly, safety devices have been known for some time and are produced in a number of forms. One style, perfected for Navy Fliers during World War II, and referred to as a Mae West, applied an expanding gas to inflate a bladder to provide buoyancy. This approach has since been adapted to sporting use, particularly for off-shore sailing. However, in this application, the water safety device is worn as a vest. Although highly effective as a water safety device, the vest tends to encumber free movement, which is, unfortunately, a large deterrent for those who are engaged in near shore activities. Thus, for those who fail to use a safety device or who use an inadequate device during the engagement of such activities, the potential risk for harm is heightened. As such, a small, easily worn device that does not encumber the user, but can provide significant flotation under necessary circumstances, would be of great benefit.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a compact water safety device having a strap and a housing attached thereto. The strap is configured and dimensioned to detachably mount to a plurality of different sized upper arms and includes a cinch and a fastening device. The housing includes an inflatable bladder, an inflation assembly, and an actuator. The housing is configured and dimensioned to accommodate the inflatable bladder in an uninflated configuration.

The actuator includes a lanyard having a ring disposed at the proximal end thereof and the inflation assembly disposed at the distal end thereof. The ring and the lanyard are configured and dimensioned to be selectively actuable to a predetermined tension sufficient to cause the inflation assembly to inflate the inflatable bladder. Furthermore, the actuator is configured and dimensioned to selectively actuate the inflation assembly to cause the inflatable bladder to inflate to a volume that is sufficient to enable different sized users to remain afloat upon inflation thereof.

After inflation, the inflatable bladder remains attached in a substantially stationary position adjacent to the upper arm of the user by the strap both before and after inflation. In one embodiment, the inflatable bladder is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape when inflated. A second strap may be attached to the inflatable bladder, whereby the second strap provides additional stability for the user when the inflatable bladder is inflated. At least one of the inflatable bladder, the strap, and the second strap can be formed of a high visibility material:

The inflation assembly includes a gas container disposed in a frame, whereby the gas container provides gas to the inflatable bladder upon actuation. Furthermore, the gas container is disposed within the inflatable bladder, wherein the inflatable bladder is disposed in a folded configuration and at least partially disposed within the frame.

The frame includes a cam rotatably connected thereto by a cam pin, wherein the cam is attached to the actuator and configured and dimensioned to cause the gas container to deploy gas. The frame further includes an attachment aperture configured and dimensioned to receive either the at least one strap or a portion of the housing. The frame also includes a retaining clip, whereby the retaining clip prevents at least one of the gas container and a portion of the inflatable bladder from dislodging from the frame. The retaining clip is disposed in a pair of recesses, wherein each recess is disposed on an opposing side of the frame and includes a ramp. The cam is configured and dimensioned to engage at least a portion of the retaining clip, whereby upon articulation of the cam, the retaining clip rises on at least one of the ramps to a predetermined articulation. As such, at least one end of the retaining clip is freed from at least one of the recesses. Thus, the inflatable bladder and the gas container are enabled to at least partially exit the frame. Since the cam is articulably attached to the retaining clip which is articulably attached to a portion of the housing. Upon selective articulation of the cam, the cam causes the retaining clip to articulate a portion of the housing into an open configuration, thereby enabling the inflatable bladder to exude from the housing.

The gas container includes a block assembly hermetically connected to the gas container. The gas container further includes a diaphragm disposed on one end. The block assembly has a ball and a pin at least partially translatably disposed therein, wherein the ball is attached to the pin, and wherein the cam is configured and dimensioned to engage the ball upon a predetermined articulation of the cam. A predetermined articulation causes the ball to drive the pin into the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm is configured and dimensioned to break upon a predetermined engagement force from the pin. The block assembly further comprises at least one vent, whereby the at least one vent provides a conduit for the gas to flow from the gas container to the inflatable bladder. The pin includes an axial cut portion, wherein the axial cut portion is cut to an angle sufficient to facilitate the venting of gas into the at least one vent. Upon the breaking of the diaphragm, the gas is deployed from the gas container, through the at least one vent, and into the inflatable bladder. The gas container is detachably connected to the frame so that after use, a new gas container can be inserted in the frame, enabling the inflatable bladder to be reinflated.

According to one aspect, a personal water safety device includes a strap and a housing secured to the strap. The strap may include a tension adjuster. The housing defines a window in a bottom surface thereof. The housing releasably encloses a bladder and an inflation assembly. The bladder is secured to the strap through the window. The bladder completely encloses the inflation assembly. The inflation assembly includes a gas container that provides gas to the bladder to inflate the bladder upon the selective deployment of gas from the gas container. The strap keeps the bladder secured to a user's appendage before and after inflation of the bladder.

The housing includes a selectively removable cover. A shuttle is secured to the cover. The cover includes a pair of arms extending therefrom. The arms extend through apertures defined in the shuttle. The arms facilitate the movement of the shuttle in response to movement of the cover. One or more of the arms includes a rotation boss securable within a rotation boss aperture defined in a frame of the housing. The rotation boss facilitates the rotation of the shuttle in response to movement of the cover relative to the frame. The cover includes a finger aperture that enables a user to attain purchase of the cover. The cover includes a tab extending therefrom that is releaseably engagable with the frame of the housing to maintain the cover secured to the frame in order to contain the bladder and inflation assembly within the housing prior to deployment. The bladder is inflatable upon the selective removal of the cover from the housing.

The shuttle is movable to deploy gas from the gas container in response to movement of the cover. The shuttle is axially and rotatably movable. The shuttle moves axially to facilitate deployment of the gas from the gas container and moves rotationally to facilitate the inflation and release of the bladder from the housing. The shuttle includes a pair of guide tabs extending therefrom. The guide tabs are engagable with a pair of recesses defined in the housing. The guide tabs are axially slidable within the recesses. The recesses prevent the shuttle from rotating when the guide tabs are positioned within the recesses. The shuttle is freely rotatable when the guide tabs are positioned outside of the recesses. The housing defines a pair of detents to stabilize the shuttle via the guide tabs prior to movement of the shuttle.

The inflation assembly includes a block and a plunger assembly. The block is secured to the gas container. The plunger assembly is secured to the block. The block and plunger assembly are positionable relative to one another from an unapproximated condition to an approximated condition to deploy gas from the gas container upon predetermined movement of the shuttle. The shuttle is indirectly engagable with the gas container to move the block and plunger assembly between the unapproximated and approximated conditions.

The gas container is sealed with a diaphragm and the plunger assembly includes a pin. The pin is engagable with the diaphragm to pierce the diaphragm as the block and plunger assembly are positioned relative to one another from the unapproximated condition to the approximated condition. The plunger assembly includes a ball coupled to the pin to facilitate the piercing of the diaphragm by the pin. The gas container releases gas upon being pierced by the pin to inflate the bladder.

The plunger assembly includes a plunger having a deflector plate and a plurality of legs extending from the deflector plate. The block includes a plurality of channels defined therethrough. The plurality of channels accommodates the plurality of legs to facilitate the relative movement of the plunger assembly and the block from the unapproximated condition to the approximated condition. A passage is formed between a leg of the plurality of legs and a channel of the plurality of channels. The passage provides a travel path for the released gas. The deflector plate directs the released gas toward the passage.

One or both of a heat shrinkable material and a tape may be secured to the housing to prohibit the ingress of foreign matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a personal water safety device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the personal water safety device of FIG. 1 with a portion of the housing removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an inflation assembly of the personal water safety device of FIGS. 1 and 2, the inflation assembly including the cam partially articulated and having a retaining clip and an actuator disposed thereon;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of the inflation assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gas container and block assembly of the inflation assembly of FIGS. 3-4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inflated bladder of the personal water safety device of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the personal water safety device in a partially assembly configuration in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the personal water safety device of FIG. 7 in a further partially assembly configuration;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a personal water safety device in an uninflated configuration, the personal water safety device attached to a user's upper arm in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a personal water safety device in an inflated configuration, the personal water safety device attached to a user's upper arm as the user remains afloat in water in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a personal water safety device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the personal water safety device shown in FIG. 11 with a cover removed for clarity;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bladder and one embodiment of an inflation assembly, the bladder shown semi-transparent for clarity;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the inflation assembly of shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the personal water safety device shown in FIG. 11, the personal water safety device illustrated in a pre-deployment configuration;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the personal water safety device shown in FIG. 11, the personal water safety device illustrated in a partially deployed configuration;

FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating the inflation assembly shown in FIG. 14 as well as a portion of one embodiment of a cover and one embodiment of a shuttle;

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a frame and one embodiment of a strap; and

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of the cover and the shuttle of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in the drawings and as described throughout the following description, and as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on an object, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the device that is closer to the user and the term “distal” refers to the end of the device that is further from the user. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify identical or substantially similar parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a personal water safety device 100. In accordance with the present disclosure, the personal water safety device 100 includes a housing 110 and a strap 120 attached thereto. The strap 120 is configured and dimensioned to detachably mount to a plurality of different sized upper arms of an individual (FIG. 9). The housing 110 includes an inflatable bladder 130, an inflation assembly 140 and an actuator 150. The housing 110 is configured and dimensioned to accommodate the inflatable bladder 130 in an uninflated configuration. The uninflated configuration is designed to be relatively small enough not to impede aquatic activities and to securely fit on a user's arm.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the actuator 150 includes a lanyard 152 having a ring 154 disposed at the proximal end thereof. The inflation assembly 140 is disposed at the distal end of the lanyard 152. The ring 154 and the lanyard 152 are configured and dimensioned to be selectively actuable to a predetermined tension sufficient to cause the inflation assembly 140 to inflate the inflatable bladder 130. Furthermore, the actuator 150 is configured and dimensioned to selectively actuate the inflation assembly 140 to cause the inflatable bladder 130 to inflate to a volume that is sufficient to enable a plurality of different sized users to remain afloat upon inflation thereof.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, the inflation assembly 140, which is fastened to the inflatable bladder 130 and disposed in the interior of the inflatable bladder 130 upon inflation, includes a gas container 142 disposed in a frame 144. The gas container 142 remains hermetically sealed within the inflatable bladder 130 before and after the inflatable bladder 130 is inflated. The gas container 142 provides gas (e.g., CO₂) to the inflatable bladder 130 upon gas deployment therefrom. In other words, when the inflation assembly 140 is actuated, the liquid CO₂ is allowed to evaporate and expand so as to fill the inflatable bladder 130 with gas to its extents. The inflatable bladder 130 is shown in an uninflated, folded configuration with a portion disposed in the inflation assembly removed for clarity. However, it is envisioned that the gas container 142 is disposed within the inflatable bladder 130, wherein the inflatable bladder 130 is disposed in a folded configuration and at least partially disposed within the frame 144. The inflatable bladder 130 is securely affixed to the housing 110 and strap 120 by way of adhesives, fasteners, welding, or the like.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the frame 144 includes a cam 146 rotatably connected thereto by a cam pin 147, wherein the cam 146 is attached to the actuator 150 and configured and dimensioned to cause the gas container 142 to deploy gas. The frame 144 further includes an attachment aperture 148 configured and dimensioned to receive either a portion of the strap 120 or a portion of the housing 110. The attachment aperture 148 is attached (by e.g, welding) to either the strap 120 or the housing 110. The frame 144 also includes a retaining clip 149, whereby the retaining clip 149 prevents at least one of the gas container 142 and a portion of the inflatable bladder 130 from prematurely dislodging from the frame 144.

As seen in FIG. 4, the retaining clip 149 is disposed in a pair of recesses 143a, 143b wherein each recess 143 is disposed on an opposing side of the frame 144 and includes a ramp 145. The cam 146 is configured and dimensioned to engage at least a portion of the retaining clip 149, whereby upon articulation of the cam 146, the retaining clip 149 rises on the at least one of the ramps 145a, 145b to a predetermined articulation. As such, at least one end of the retaining clip 149 is freed from at least one of the recesses 143a, 143b. Thus, the inflatable bladder 130 and the gas container 142 are enabled to at least partially exit the frame 144. The cam 146 is articulably attached to the retaining clip 149 and the retaining clip 149 is articulably attached to a portion of the housing 110. Therefore, upon selective articulation of the cam 146, the cam 146 causes the retaining clip 149 to articulate a portion of the housing 110 into an open configuration, thereby enabling the inflatable bladder 130 to exude from the housing 110.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the gas container 142 comprises a block assembly 160 hermetically connected to the gas container 142 (e.g, by a threaded connection, bayonet connection, snap-on connection, etc.). The gas container 142 further includes a diaphragm 142z disposed on one end. The diaphragm 142z is configured and dimensioned to seal gas inside the gas container 142 until the diaphragm 142z is broken, pierced, or otherwise impinged.

The block assembly 160 has a ball 162 and a pin 164 at least partially translatably disposed in a bore 166 therein. The ball 162 is attached to proximal end of the pin 164. The ball is configured to provide the instant compressive load to the pin 164. The pin 164 has a sharp distal point for puncturing the diaphragm 142z. The cam 146 is configured and dimensioned to engage the ball 162 upon a predetermined articulation of the cam 146. A predetermined articulation of the cam 146 causes the ball 162 to drive the distal end of the pin 164 into the diaphragm 142z, wherein the diaphragm 142z is configured and dimensioned to break upon a predetermined engagement force from the distal end of the pin 164. The block assembly 160 further comprises a vent 168 cut through a portion of the bore 166. As such, the vent 168 provides a conduit for the gas to flow from the gas container 142 to the inflatable bladder 130. The pin 164 includes an axial cut portion 164a, wherein the axial cut portion 164a is cut to an angle sufficient to facilitate the venting of gas into the vent 168. Upon the breaking of the diaphragm 142z, the gas is deployed from the gas container 142, through the vent 168 and into the inflatable bladder 130. The gas container 142 is detachably connected to the frame 144 so that after use, a new gas container 142 can be inserted in the frame 144, enabling the inflatable bladder 130 to be reinflated.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 10, the inflatable bladder 130 remains fixedly attached to the upper arm of the user by the strap 120 after inflation. The inflatable bladder is disposed in a substantially cylindrical shape configured to assist a user, either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat with the user's airway above the water surface when in or on water. Other shapes and configuration are also contemplated herein including, but not limited to, spherical, toroidal, etc. A second strap 121 is attached to the inflatable bladder 130, whereby the second strap 121 provides additional stability for the user when the inflatable bladder 130 is disposed in an inflated configuration. At least one of the inflatable bladder 130, the strap 120, and the second strap 121 can be formed of a high visibility material.

In another embodiment of the personal water safety device 200 (substantially similar to the personal water safety device 100 but only described herein to the extent necessary to describe the differences in construction and operation thereof), as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the strap 220 includes a cinch 222 to tighten the strap 220 to the upper arm of an individual. The strap 220 also includes a fastening device 224 attached thereto, enabling the user to fasten the strap 220 to the upper arm. In this embodiment, both the housing 210 and the strap 220 include a fastening device 224a, 224b, which manifests itself as a hook and loop-type fastener 224, such as VELCRO. Namely, a synthetic material sold in ribbon, sheet, or piece goods form. The material has complementary parts which adhere to each other when pressed together and are adapted for use as a closure fastener, or button for closing garments, curtains, or the like. In addition, this also includes separable fasteners and components thereof.

As shown in FIG. 7, the housing 210 holds the inflatable bladder 130 in a folded configuration having a first portion 230x disposed in a rolled orientation and a second portion 230y partially disposed in the frame 244 and held by the retaining clip 249. From FIG. 8, a portion of the housing 210 is folded over the inflatable bladder 230, the inflation assembly 140, and a portion of the actuator 150. In this embodiment, the lanyard 252 is partially situated to tear the bond from the fastening device 224 (i.e, the hook and loop-type fastener) between the folded over portions of the housing 210 so that upon actuation of the lanyard 252, the folded over portions of the housing 210 are unfolded, freeing the inflatable bladder 230 to exude from the housing 210. In addition, the lanyard 252 actuates the inflation assembly 240 to cause gas to inflate the inflatable bladder 230.

In operation, when requiring additional buoyancy, the user simply pulls the ring 154, 254 and tensions the lanyard 152, 252 with enough force to activate the cam 146, 246. The tensioning of the lanyard 152, 252 has the further effect of tearing open a portion of the housing 110, 210 so that the inflatable bladder 130, 230 is free to expand. The cam 146, 246 then causes the pin 164, 264 to puncture the diaphragm 142z, 242z and the retaining clip 144, 244 to release the inflatable bladder 130, 230. The inflatable bladder 130, 230 inflates and remains attached in a substantially stationary position adjacent to the user's upper arm by the strap 120, 220 both before and after inflation thereof. In this orientation, the high visibility inflatable bladder 130, 230 can be used as a marker or flag to attract the attention of a potential rescuer. The second strap 121, 221, which is welded to the inflatable bladder 130, 230 provides stability to the user, enabling the user to insert the user's opposite arm.

The manufacture is simple and cost effective. The gas container 142, 242, frame 144, 244 and cam 146, 246 can be injection molded from a strong polymer such as polyamide or acetyl. The inflatable bladder 130, 230 and straps 120, 220, 121, 221 can be produced from a suitable film such as polyurethane. In particular, the inflatable bladder 130, 230 can be formed of a high visibility film produced in orange, red, yellow, blue, green or the like. The housing 110, 210 can be formed of a similar film, or can be injection molded from a suitable and compliant polymer such as polyurethane. The welding procedures can be thermal, ultra sonic, radio frequency or the like. It is envisioned that the personal water safety device 100, 200 can be designed to support individuals weighing up to 250 lbs. In addition, even more compact models can be designed to support children and adults under 150 lbs.

Additional embodiments are also contemplated, including the addition of further functionality such as a whistle, horn, or other noise maker. A strobe or light can be included for night and limited visibility conditions. Further, an emergency position indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or the like (e.g., GPS) can be provided.

Turning now to FIGS. 11-19, another embodiment of a personal water safety device, generally referred to as 300, is substantially similar to personal water safety devices 100 and 200 but is only described herein to the extent necessary to describe the differences in construction and operation thereof.

With particular reference to FIG. 11, the personal water safety device 300 includes a strap 310 and a housing 320. The housing 320 is secured to the strap 310. Generally, the housing 320 includes a frame 322 and a cover 324, the cover 324 being rotationally displaceable relative to the frame 322. The strap 310 may include a tension adjuster 312 secured to one end of the strap 310, while the other end of the strap 310 may include a plurality of teeth 314 adapted to be threaded through the tension adjuster 312 to secure, e.g., cinch the personal water safety device 310 to an appendage (e.g., an arm or leg) of a user. The plurality of teeth 314 enable the personal water safety device 310 to be fixed in a plurality of different orientations (e.g., sizes) to accommodate different users of the device.

As shown in FIG. 12, the housing 320 releasably encloses a bladder 330 and an inflation assembly 340. With brief reference to FIG. 18, the housing 320, namely the frame 322, defines a pair of windows 322a in a bottom surface thereof. The bladder 330 is secured to the strap 310 (e.g., chemically bonded) through the window 322a. As illustrated in FIGS. 12-13, the bladder 330 completely encloses the inflation assembly 340. The bladder 330, in this respect, hermetically seals the inflation assembly 340. The inflation assembly 340 includes a gas container 342 that provides gas to the bladder 330 to inflate the bladder 330 upon the selective deployment of gas from the gas container 342. The strap 310 keeps the bladder 330 secured to a user's appendage before and after inflation of the bladder 330.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the inflation assembly 340 includes a block 344 and a plunger assembly 346. The block 344 is secured to the gas container 342. The plunger assembly 346 is secured to the block 344. The block 344 and plunger assembly 346 are positionable relative to one another from an unapproximated condition (FIG. 15) to an approximated condition (FIG. 16 illustrates only partial deployment but shows the approximation of the plunger assembly 346 and the block 344) to deploy gas from the gas container upon predetermined movement of a shuttle 350 secured to the cover 324 (see FIGS. 17 and 19) (discussed in greater detail below).

As shown in FIG. 14, the gas container 342 is sealed with a diaphragm 342a. The plunger assembly 346 includes a ball 348a, a pin 348b, and a plunger 347. The plunger 347 includes a deflector plate 347a and a plurality of legs 347b extending from the deflector plate 347a. The pin 348b is engagable with the diaphragm 342a to pierce the diaphragm 342a as the block 344 and plunger assembly 346 are moved relative to one another from the unapproximated condition to the approximated condition. The ball 348a is coupled to the pin 348b to facilitate the piercing of the diaphragm 342a by the pin 348b. The gas container 342 releases gas upon being pierced by the pin 348b to inflate the bladder 330.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 14, the block 344 includes a plurality of channels 344a defined therethrough on an outer surface thereof (four are shown, but any number of channels 344a are contemplated). The plurality of channels 344a accommodates the plurality of legs 347b to facilitate the relative movement of the plunger assembly 346 and the block 344 from the unapproximated condition to the approximated condition. A passage 345 is formed between each leg of the plurality of legs 347b and each channel of the plurality of channels 344a. Each passage 345 provides a travel path for the released gas. These passages 345 enable the expanding gas (e.g., CO₂) to pass without impinging directly onto the bladder 330 (to limit cooling effect that might otherwise subject the bladder 330 to glass transition, possibly leading to cracking or fracture). These passages 345 also enable the expanding gas to pass along the gas container 342 raising the temperature of the gas. The deflector plate 347a directs the released gas toward the passage 345.

Turning now to FIGS. 15-19, the cover 324, which is selectively removable from the housing 320, namely the frame 322, is secured to shuttle 350. In particular, the cover 324 includes a pair of arms 326 extending therefrom. The cover 324 includes a top portion 325a and a base portion 325b. The arms 326, which are secured to the top portion 325a extend through apertures 352 defined in the shuttle 350. The arms 326 facilitate the movement of the shuttle 350 in response to the rotational movement of the cover 324. One or both of the arms 326 includes a rotation boss 326a securable within a rotation boss aperture 323a defined in the frame 322. The rotation boss 326a facilitates the rotation of the shuttle 350 in response to movement of the cover 324 relative to the frame 322. The cover 324 includes a finger aperture 324a (see FIG. 15) that enables a user to attain purchase of the cover 324. The finger aperture 324a is defined between the top portion 325a and the base portion 325b. The cover 324 also includes a tab 324b extending therefrom, namely from the base portion 325b that is releaseably engagable with the frame 322 to maintain the cover 324 secured to the frame 322 in order to contain the bladder 330 and the inflation assembly 340 within the housing 320 prior to deployment. In this respect, the tab 324b may be configured to yield to the deployment force, but contain the internal components within the housing 320 until that time. The bladder 330 is inflatable upon the selective removal of the cover 324 from the housing 320.

With continued reference to FIGS. 15-19, the shuttle 350 is movable to deploy gas from the gas container 342 in response to movement of the cover 324. The shuttle 350 is indirectly engagable with the gas container 342 (since the bladder 330 completely encloses inflation assembly 340) to move the block 344 and plunger assembly 346 between the unapproximated and approximated conditions. The shuttle 350 is axially and rotatably movable. More specifically, as depicted in FIG. 16, the shuttle 350 moves axially (driven by the rotation of the cover 324 such that the arms 326 pull the shuttle 350 toward the inflation assembly 340 during the initial movements of the cover 324) (e.g., the shuttle 350 provides a compressive force effectuated by the frame 322 serving as a reaction body for the shuttle 350) to facilitate deployment of the gas from the gas container 342. Upon the cover 324 reaching a predetermined angle of rotation (e.g., any suitable angle), namely after the shuttle 350 has caused the inflation assembly 340 to deploy the gas from the gas container 342, the shuttle 350 stops axially moving and begins to rotate with the cover 324 to facilitate the inflation by rotating away from the bladder 330 thereby enabling the bladder 330 to escape or release from the housing 320. In particular, once the bladder 330 begins to expand by virtue of the gas expelling from the gas container 342, e.g., after initial penetration, the deployment may be configured to accelerate on its own.

As best depicted in FIGS. 17-19, the shuttle 350 includes a pair of guide tabs 354 extending therefrom. The guide tabs 354 are engagable with a pair of recesses 356 defined in the frame 322 of the housing 320. The guide tabs 354 are axially slidable within the recesses 356. The recesses 356, via detents 358 defined in the frame 322, prevent the shuttle 350 from rotating when the guide tabs 354 are positioned within the recesses 356. In particular, the pair of detents 358 stabilize the shuttle 350 via protrusions 354a on the guide tabs 354 prior to movement of the shuttle 350. The shuttle 350 is freely rotatable when the guide tabs 354 are positioned outside of the recesses 356.

With reference again to FIG. 18, the frame 322 may include a plunger hook 360 to facilitate the securement of the inflation assembly 340 within the frame 322. In addition, the frame 322 may include rotation boss hooks 362 to facilitate the securement of the rotation bosses 326a within the frame 322, namely within the rotation boss apertures 323a. The frame 322 may include vertical appendages 364 engagable with the cover 324 for providing additional stability.

One or both of a heat shrinkable material and a tape may be secured to the housing 320, e.g., at the interface between the cover 324 and the frame 322, to prohibit the ingress of foreign matter.

To assemble, the block 344 is threaded onto the neck of the gas container 342. The block 344 can be injection molded from a resign such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The pin 348b may be fabricated from a drawn wire in e.g., stainless steel. The pin 348b is inserted into a central hole 344b extending through the block 344. The ball 348a, which may also be stainless steel, and the plunger 347, which may also be formed of ABS, follow axially into assembly.

The bladder 330 may be formed of Poly Amide (PA) taffeta with a Polyurethane (PU) film applied to one side. The bladder 330 may be die cut and welded along the periphery with the PU film acting as the bonding media. Before final sealing, the inflation assembly 340 is inserted and the bladder 330 evacuated. The inflation assembly 340 is enclosed by, but not bonded to the bladder 330. The bladder 330 may be formed by one tab that extends axially, exposing the PU film.

The strap 310 may be injection molded of thermoplastic PU. The tension adjuster 312 is affixed to the strap 310 by wrapping the strap 310 around an adjuster bar 312a of the tension adjuster 312 and either welding or bonding the strap 310 back on itself. Likewise, the frame 322, which can be injection molded in ABS, can be welded or bonded to the strap 310.

The tab of the bladder 330 may be welded to the strap 310 through one of the windows 322a. The moving components, e.g., the shuttle 350 and the cover 324 can be injection molded from ABS. The top portion 325a of the cover 324 is first inserted to the shuttle 350 and then the base portion 325b of the cover 324 is either welded or bonded to the top portion 325a of the cover 324.

The bladder 330 is then rolled to a volume that fits within the housing 320. The shuttle 350 is placed over the gas container 342. The guide tabs 354 are slid into the recesses 356 within the frame 322. The plunger assembly 346, which is inside the bladder 330, is snapped into the plunger hook 360 of the frame 322. The rotational bosses 326a of the cover 324 and the tab 324b, which can be a breakaway tab, are then simultaneously snapped into the frame 322. Finally, the entire system can be sealed with the application of heat shrinkable tube and/or tape around the circumference of the device.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A personal water safety device comprising:

a strap; and

a housing secured to the strap, the housing releasably enclosing a bladder and an inflation assembly, the bladder completely enclosing the inflation assembly, the inflation assembly including a gas container that provides gas to the bladder to inflate the bladder upon the selective deployment of gas from the gas container, the strap keeping the bladder secured to a user's appendage before and after inflation of the bladder.

2. A personal water safety device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a selectively removable cover, the bladder being inflatable upon the selective removal of the cover from the housing.

3. A personal water safety device according to claim 2, further comprising a shuttle secured to the cover, the shuttle being movable to deploy gas from the gas container in response to movement of the cover.

4. A personal water safety device according to claim 3, wherein the inflation assembly includes a block and a plunger assembly, the block secured to the gas container, the plunger assembly being secured to the block, the block and plunger assembly being positionable relative to one another from an unapproximated condition to an approximated condition to deploy gas from the gas container upon predetermined movement of the shuttle, the shuttle being indirectly engagable with the gas container to move the block and plunger assembly between the unapproximated and approximated conditions.

5. A personal water safety device according to claim 4, wherein the gas container is sealed with a diaphragm and the plunger assembly includes a pin, the pin being engagable with the diaphragm to pierce the diaphragm as the block and plunger assembly arc positioned relative to one another from the unapproximated condition to the approximated condition, the gas container releasing gas upon being pierced by the pin to inflate the bladder.

6. A personal water safety device according to claim 5, wherein the plunger assembly includes a plunger having a deflector plate and a plurality of legs extending from the deflector plate, the block includes a plurality of channels defined therethrough, the plurality of channels accommodating the plurality of legs to facilitate the relative movement of the plunger assembly and the block from the unapproximated condition to the approximated condition.

7. A personal water safety device according to claim 6, wherein a passage is formed between a leg of the plurality of legs and a channel of the plurality of channels, the passage providing a travel path for the released gas.

8. A personal water safety device according to claim 7, wherein the deflector plate directs the released gas toward the passage.

9. A personal water safety device according to claim 5, wherein the plunger assembly includes a ball coupled to the pin to facilitate the piercing of the diaphragm by the pin.

10. A personal water safety device according to claim 3, wherein the shuttle is axially and rotatably movable.

11. A personal water safety device according to claim 10, wherein the cover includes a pair of arms extending therefrom, the arms extending through apertures defined in the shuttle, the arms facilitating the movement of the shuttle in response to movement of the cover.

12. A personal water safety device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the arms includes a rotation boss securable within a rotation boss aperture defined in a frame of the housing, the rotation boss facilitating the rotation of the shuttle in response to movement of the cover relative to the frame.

13. A personal water safety device according to claim 10, wherein the shuttle moves axially to facilitate deployment of the gas from the gas container and moves rotationally to facilitate the inflation and release of the bladder from the housing.

14. A personal water safety device according to claim 10, wherein the shuttle includes a pair of guide tabs extending therefrom, the guide tabs being engagable with a pair of recesses defined in the housing, the guide tabs being axially slidable within the recesses, the recesses preventing the shuttle from rotating when the guide tabs are positioned within the recesses, the shuttle being freely rotatable when the guide tabs are positioned outside of the recesses.

15. A personal water safety device according to claim 14, wherein the housing defines a pair of detents to stabilize the shuttle via the guide tabs prior to movement of the shuttle.

16. A personal water safety device according to claim 2, wherein the cover includes a finger aperture that enables a user to attain purchase of the cover.

17. A personal water safety device according to claim 2, wherein the cover includes a tab extending therefrom that is releaseably engagable with a frame of the housing to maintain the cover secured to the frame in order to contain the bladder and inflation assembly within the housing prior to deployment.

18. A personal water safety device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a heat shrinkable material and a tape secured to the housing to prohibit the ingress of foreign matter.

19. A personal water safety device according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a window in a bottom surface thereof, the bladder being secured to the strap through the window.

20. A personal water safety device according to claim 1, wherein the strap includes a tension adjuster.