Life Seat

Abstract

The Life Seat is an invention that is designed as a personal floatation device that has the ability to also function as a camp chair. This invention is based off the design of a Type III personal floatation device which can be worn like a vest. In order to convert this device into a camp chair, a seat, which is secured by straps that secure it in one of two possible positions can be folded down from the inside of the lower back section of the personal floatation device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is designed to reduce the amount of equipment that is recommended for certain outdoor recreational activities by combining the functions of two of them. A personal floatation device is a necessity for any recreational activity that is conducted on the water, such as kayaking, fishing, sailing, etc. A camp chair is a piece of equipment that is very commonly used in association with these same outdoor recreational activities. One goal often associated with this field of activity is in lightweight, minimalist equipment. Both a personal floatation device and a camp chair are large, bulky items that are often difficult to pack and utilize effectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By designing a personal floatation device that doubles as a camp chair, the amount of equipment needed to conduct many outdoor recreational activities is greatly reduced. In addition to this, the design of the camp chair was created in order to maximize the comfort of the user. The addition of the camp chair function to this “Life Seat” device will in no way inhibit the full functionality and safety considerations of the personal floatation function that this device will achieve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: front, offset perspective view of the closed life seat in its wearable ‘vest style’ personal floatation device configuration.

FIG. 2: front perspective view of the opened life seat. Deployable seat can be viewed in its undeployed position on the inside of the lower back piece.

FIG. 3: back perspective view of the undeployed life seat. The straps securing the undeployed seat can be seen reaching and clasping to the outside of the back of the device.

FIG. 4: front offset perspective view of the deployed seat of the invention. The seat can be seen to be folded down and the strap securing it in place can be observed. The front pieces of the ‘vest’ are opened up to allow for the deployment of the seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This combination of a personal floatation device and a camp chair can take several different configurations and designs. The design of the life jacket will fit the conventional configuration that is generally considered to be type III personal floatation device, usually used for recreational activities (FIG. 1). The life seat will have a foldable seat, made with the same materials from which the rest of the personal floatation device is constructed: a rigid, buoyant foam. The seat will fold down from the inside of the vest, where the user's lower back will be when the life seat is worn like a vest. The crease which the seat will fold on will hinge from the bottom edge of the back of the personal floatation device (FIG. 2). When the seat is not deployed, and the life seat is worn like a vest, the seat will be secured to the back of the personal floatation device by straps that clasp to the outside (FIG. 3). When the seat is deployed, the securing straps are unclipped, the seat will fold down, and the straps are reclipped in the area of the armpit of the vest, which will secure the seat in its deployed position (FIG. 4).

To make this invention, a generic type III personal floatation device can be modified. To do this, the seat piece can be attached along the bottom edge of the back of the device, and the straps that secure it in either position can be sewn into place on the outside of the back as well as on the seat itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: front, offset perspective view of the closed life seat in its wearable ‘vest style’ personal floatation device configuration.

FIG. 2: front perspective view of the opened life seat. Deployable seat can be viewed in its undeployed position on the inside of the lower back piece.

FIG. 3: back perspective view of the undeployed life seat. The straps securing the undeployed seat can be seen reaching and clasping to the outside of the back of the device.

FIG. 4: front offset perspective view of the deployed seat of the invention. The seat can be seen to be folded down and the strap securing it in place can be observed. The front pieces of the ‘vest’ are opened up to allow for the deployment of the seat.

DRAWINGS

Claims

1. The subject matter for which this patent claims consists of any invention which combines a personal floatation device with a camp chair as a single piece of equipment through the deployment of a foldable seat which folds off the personal floatation device.