Personal Floatation Device

Abstract

A personal floatation device includes a garment having a body portion and a buoyancy member coupled to the garment. The garment extends above and below the buoyancy member and is transitionable between a deflated state and an inflated state. The buoyancy member includes an inflatable bladder and at least one handle. The personal floatation device includes an inflator module in fluid communication with the inflatable bladder. The inflator module includes a power supply and a storage device containing a buoyant material to at least partially fill the inflatable bladder. The at least one handle is operatively coupled to the inflator module to control flow of the buoyant material into the inflatable bladder. The personal floatation device includes an illumination source in electrical communication with the inflator module such that the power source of the inflator module provides power to the illumination source in the inflated state.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/479,584, filed on Mar. 31, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates, generally, to devices used for floatation, and more specifically, personal floatation devices. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward an inflatable personal floatation device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typically, personal floatation devices take the form of a vest. The personal floatation device may include a high buoyancy foam disposed in the vest. While typical personal floatation devices have worked for their intended purpose, they suffer from certain disadvantages. For example, foam life vests are bulky and restrict movement of a user. In order to prevent drowning in a body of water, the user must wear the personal floatation device prior to entering the water. Bulky and restrictive foam life vests are unlikely to be worn by the user and are therefore ineffective. In addition, personal floatation devices of the type known in the related art do not aid others in locating the user when in the water. Thus, there remains a need for a personal floatation device that is comfortable and likely to be worn and aids others in locating the user in the water.

SUMMARY

The subject invention provides for a personal floatation device comprising a garment having a body portion and defining a head opening and two arm openings and a buoyancy member coupled to the garment. The garment extends above and below the buoyancy member. The buoyancy member is transitionable between a deflated state and an inflated state. The buoyancy member comprises an inflatable bladder and at least one handle with the inflatable bladder substantially empty in the deflated state and with the inflatable bladder expanded in the inflated state.

The personal floatation device further comprises an inflator module in fluid communication with the inflatable bladder. The inflator module comprises a power supply and a storage device containing a buoyant material to at least partially fill the inflatable bladder with the buoyant material in the inflated state. The at least one handle is operatively coupled to the inflator module to control flow of the buoyant material into the inflatable bladder.

The personal floatation device further comprises an illumination source for emitting light to locate the personal floatation device, with the illumination source in electrical communication with the inflator module such that the power source of the inflator module provides power to the illumination source in the inflated state.

Accordingly, the buoyancy member coupled to the garment and transitionable between a deflated state and an inflated state is form fitting to the user and minimally restrictive to promote wearing the personal floatation device. Furthermore, the illumination source aides others in locating the user when in the water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, where;

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a personal floatation device having a buoyancy member in a deflated state.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the personal floatation device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a user wearing the personal floatation device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the personal floatation device of FIG. 1, with the buoyancy member in an inflated state.

FIG. 5 an environmental view of the personal floatation device of FIG. 1 worn by a user in a body of water, with the buoyancy member in the inflated state.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a child wearing an alternative embodiment of a personal floatation device.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a toddler wearing another alternative embodiment of a personal floatation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a personal floatation device 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The personal floatation device includes a garment 12 having a body portion 14, and defining a head opening 16, a torso opening 18, and two arm openings 20. The head opening 16 is arranged to accommodate a user's head and the arm openings 20 are arranged to accommodate the user's arms. The personal floatation device 10 further includes a buoyancy member 22 coupled to the garment 12. The buoyancy member 22 is generally ring shaped and disposed about the body portion 14 of the garment 12.

In FIGS. 1-5, the garment 12 is illustrated as a T-shirt; however, alternative configurations are considered. For example, the garment may include longer or shorter sleeves as desired by the user. Alternatively, the garment could be sleeveless. The garment 12 may be made from any suitable material. For example, woven nylon fabric, which is both water resistant and durable, may be used. Advantageously, the garment 12 extends above and below the buoyancy member 22 on the users body. This allows the personal floatation device 10 to be worn similarly to conventional clothing, thereby encouraging the user to wear the personal floatation device 10.

Best shown in FIG. 4, the personal floatation device 10 further includes a retention strap 24 coupled to the garment 12 and configured to position the buoyancy member 22 around the body portion 14. The retention strap 24 wraps around the buoyancy member 22 to couple the buoyancy member 22 to the garment 12.

The buoyancy member 22 has a deflated state and an inflated state. The buoyancy member 22 is shown in the deflated state in FIGS. 1-3. The buoyancy member 22 includes an inflatable bladder 26 and two handles 28. When the buoyancy member 22 is in the deflated state, the inflatable bladder 26 is empty and is collapsed in a space saving configuration about the body portion 14 of the garment 12. The buoyancy member 22 occupies less space in the deflated state than in the inflated state.

The personal floatation device 10 is able to keep the user afloat in the inflated state. The buoyancy member 22 is shown in the inflated state in FIGS. 4 & 5. Here, the inflatable bladder 26 has been filled with a buoyant material, which causes the inflatable bladder 26 to expand. When expanded, the inflatable bladder 26 increases stability of the user, which prevents the user's head from being submerged in water. The buoyant material is any material having a density less than water, and able to be stored in a compressed or collapsed state. For example, the buoyant material may be a compressed gas, such as Carbon Dioxide. Alternatively, the buoyant material may be an expanding foam that is activated by a chemical reaction.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the personal floatation device 10 further includes an inflator module 30 in fluid communication with the inflatable bladder 26. The inflator module 30 includes a storage device containing the compressed buoyant material, and a power supply. The inflator module 30 is operable to inflate the inflatable bladder 26. The handles 28 are operatively coupled to the inflator module 30 and control flow of the buoyant material into the inflatable bladder 26. The handles 28 may each be illuminated allowing the user to easily locate the handles 28 if visibility is limited. The storage device may be replaceable, rechargeable, single-use, multi-use, or similar.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user activates the personal floatation device 10 by pulling one of the handles 28 away from the buoyancy member 22. When the user pulls one of the handles 28, the inflator module 30 fills the inflatable bladder 26 with the buoyant material, thereby expanding the inflatable bladder 26 and activating the inflated state of the buoyancy member 22. More specifically, the user may pull one or both of the handles 28 to inflate the buoyancy member 22.

Alternatively, the personal floatation device 10 may include an inflation sensor to detect when the user has fallen into the water. When the inflation sensor detects that the user has fallen into the water, the buoyancy member 22 may be automatically inflated. The user may manually deactivate the inflation sensor to prevent automatic inflation of the buoyancy member 22, for example, if the user intentionally enters the water. Furthermore, the user may deflate the buoyancy member 22 upon exiting the water. In this way, the personal floatation device 10 may be reused many times.

The personal floatation device 10 further includes an illumination source 32. The illumination source 32 allows the personal floatation device 10 to easily be located when visibility is reduced, such as at night. Furthermore, a user wearing the personal floatation device 10 is more easily located. The personal floatation device 10 may include a shoulder illumination source 32A, a torso illumination source 32B, and an arm illumination source 32C. The illumination source may be an array of LEDs (light emitting diodes), a strobe light, or other devices capable of illuminating the personal floatation device 10.

The illumination source 32 is in electrical communication with the inflator module 30. The power source in the inflator module 30 provides power to the illumination source 32. The power source may be a battery, such as commonly available “AA” batteries, or a rechargeable battery. Additionally, the personal floatation device 10 may include an illumination sensor to activate the illumination source 32. The illumination sensor may detect when the handles 28 are pulled, when the personal floatation device 10 is exposed to water, or when the personal floatation device 10 is in a dark environment. The illumination source 32 may further be used as a signaling or warning light in emergencies. The illumination sensor may be combined with the inflation sensor such a single sensor is capable of activating both the illumination source 32 and the buoyancy member 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the personal floatation device 10 may include a solar panel 34 coupled to the garment 12. The solar panel 34 is in electrical communication with the inflator module 30 to recharge the power source. The power source may also be recharged with a wall adapter, or from a USB device.

Another embodiment of a personal floatation device 100 is shown in FIG. 6A. The personal floatation device 100 is substantially the same as is described above, however the garment is appropriately sized for a child. It is to be appreciated that the personal floatation device 100 may be any size so as to fit both children and adults alike.

Yet another embodiment of a personal floatation device 200 is shown in FIG. 6B. The personal floatation device 200 generally includes the features described above, however the personal floatation device 200 is appropriately sized for a toddler. Here, the garment 202 includes two leg openings 204. The leg openings 204 prevent the personal floatation device 200 from accidently falling off of the toddler.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A personal floatation device comprising:

a garment having a body portion and defining a head opening and two arm openings;

a buoyancy member coupled to said garment, with said garment extending above and below said buoyancy member and is transitionable between a deflated state and an inflated state, with said buoyancy member comprising an inflatable bladder and at least one handle with said inflatable bladder substantially empty in the deflated state and with said inflatable bladder expanded in the inflated state;

an inflator module in fluid communication with said inflatable bladder, with said inflator module comprising a power supply and a storage device containing a buoyant material to at least partially fill said inflatable bladder with said buoyant material in the inflated state, with said at least one handle operatively coupled to said inflator module to control flow of said buoyant material into said inflatable bladder; and

an illumination source for emitting light to locate said personal floatation device, with said illumination source in electrical communication with said inflator module such that said power source of said inflator module provides power to said illumination source in the inflated state.

2. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said buoyancy member is generally ring shaped and disposed about said body portion of said garment.

3. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a retention strap coupled to said garment and configured to position said buoyancy member around said body portion.

4. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said retention strap wraps around said buoyancy member to couple said buoyancy member to said garment.

5. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said illumination source is at least one illumination panel extending along said garment.

6. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said illumination source comprises at least a shoulder illumination source, a torso illumination source, and an arm illumination source.

7. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said illumination source comprises at least one of an array of light emitting diodes and a strobe light.

8. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an illumination sensor operatively coupled to said illumination source for activating said illumination source and capable of detecting at least one of said personal floatation device being exposed to water, said at least one handle being pulled, and said personal floatation device being in a dark environment.

9. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said buoyant material is a compressed gas.

10. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one handle is illuminated for allowing the user to easily locate said at least one handle.

11. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an inflation sensor operatively coupled to said buoyancy member and configured to detect when the user has fallen into the water for automatically inflating said buoyancy member.

12. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a solar panel coupled to said garment and in electrical communication with said inflator module to recharge said power source.

13. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one handle comprises two handles.

14. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said garment defines a torso opening opposite said head opening.

15. The personal floatation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said garment defines two leg openings opposite said head opening.