Low Profile Tactical Inflatable Flotation Device

Abstract

An inflatable life preserver uses a novel packing method with a lightweight inflatable film that allows it to integrate with equipment so that it is not noticeable to the user in the uninflated condition and does not impede the user's operations. In the uninflated state, the bladder is folded and rolled in a way that minimizes the device footprint. The device can be attached to a MOLLE vest or other garment. In the inflated condition, the inflatable bladder material is unsupported and is constrained to provide buoyancy distribution to turn a user face-up at the water line.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One known type of personal flotation device is sometimes called a life jacket or life vest. This type of device often has a U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped configuration that wraps around the back of the user's neck and has two lobes extending down the front of the user's torso. In some of these devices, an inflatable bladder is contained within a cover. The bladder has two lobes, contained within the cover lobes, that are the same length as the cover lobes. When the bladder is inflated by actuation of an inflator, the bladder inflates out of the cover. Prior to inflation, the cover (and bladder) lobes extend down the user's torso to the waist area, where they are held together laterally by a waist strap. This setup takes a great deal of space on the user's torso and waist and can be awkward and uncomfortable.

Some devices provide self-righting flotation for tactical/special operations forces carrying loads, but these products are typically heavy, cumbersome, and restrictive. The problem to overcome in these products is to provide a design that integrates with equipment in a way that does not hinder or impede normal operations.

Conversely, certain other products integrate with equipment in a way that does not hinder or impede operation, but these products do not provide self-righting flotation. The problem to overcome in these products is to provide reliable self-righting flotation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inflatable life preserver that uses a novel packing method with a lightweight inflatable film that allows it to integrate with equipment so that it is not noticeable to the user in the uninflated condition and does not impede the user's operations. In the uninflated state, the bladder is folded and rolled in a novel way into a small configuration that minimizes the device footprint. The device can be attached to a MOLLE vest or other garment as shown, or to a separate harness, or other appropriate gear. In the inflated condition, the inflatable bladder material is unsupported and is constrained to provide sufficient buoyancy distribution to turn a user face-up at the water line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front pictorial illustration of a personal flotation device that is a first embodiment of the invention, shown being worn by a user over a MOLLE vest;

FIG. 2 is a side pictorial illustration of the device and user and vest of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear pictorial illustration of the device and user and vest of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown in an uninflated and unfolded condition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a first step in the process of folding the device;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further step in the process of folding the device;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further step in the process of folding the device;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further step in the process of folding the device;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further step in the process of folding the device and closing the cover on the bladder;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a collar portion of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown in an inflated condition;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown in the inflated condition; and

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown in the inflated condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a personal flotation device that includes an inflatable bladder. The invention is applicable to personal flotation devices of varying and different configurations. As representative of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a personal flotation device 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention. The device 10 is shown as being attachable to a MOLLE vest or armor carrier 12 worn by a user; a device of the present invention could be configured and/or supported differently. The attachment of the device 10 to the vest 12 is described below in detail.

The device 10 has a device collar section 14, a left lobe 16, and a right lobe 16a. The device 10 includes as its major components a cover 20; a bladder 40; and an inflator 60 for inflating the bladder. Additional components include two back straps 80, two chest straps 90, and a sternum strap 100. When the bladder 40 is uninflated, the bladder is stored in the cover 20. The inflator 60 is actuatable as described below to inflate the bladder 40 to an inflated condition in which it extends out of the cover to support the user in water with the user face-up.

The cover 20 (FIGS. 1-4) is a flexible fabric element that is made from a material to enclose and protect the bladder 40 when the bladder is uninflated. Typical materials that are suitable are well known in the art of the personal flotation device. The cover 20 may have a color or camouflage printing on its outer surface. The cover 20 has a central portion 22, or collar section, that is located at and behind the user's neck when the device 10 is being worn. The cover 20 has two lobes 24 and 24a that extend generally perpendicularly from opposite ends of the collar section 22, to provide an overall U-shaped or horseshoe shaped configuration for the cover 20. Each cover lobe 24, 24a has a respective terminal end portion 26, 26a that is farthest from the collar section of the cover 20. For purposes of this invention, the two cover lobes 24 and 24a are basically mirror images of each other, and so only one cover lobe (the left lobe 24) is described in detail.

It should be understood that FIGS. 4 through 13 are front views of the personal flotation device 10—that is, the major side (outside) that is presented outward when the device is worn, is seen in these views. In all these views, of course, the bladder 40 is transparent. Therefore, many elements that appear to be in front of the bladder 40 (toward the viewer) are, in fact, behind the bladder, only appearing to be in front of it because of the transparent nature of the bladder. Thus, for example, in FIG. 4, the fabric elements 72 and 72a, and the cover 20, are in fact behind the transparent bladder 40.

Each cover lobe 24, 24a has a respective zipper 30, 30a extending along its length and up into the collar section of the cover 20. The upper end of the zippers 30 and 30a are located under a tab 31 on the cover 20. The zipper 30 can be closed to form the cover lobe 24 into a tubular configuration in which the bladder lobe 44 is packed when in the uninflated condition. The zipper 30 is a breakaway zipper; when the bladder 40 is inflated as described below, the bladder lobe 44 expands outward, pushing open the zipper 30 first at its upper end then down along the length of the lobe, and inflates out of the cover lobe 24. When the cover lobe 24 is unzipped, the cover lobe can be laid flat to enable the bladder lobe 44 to be packed inside the cover lobe. This position is shown in FIG. 4, for example.

The length of the cover lobes 24 and 24a is selected so that their terminal end portions 26 and 26a are up high on the user's chest when the device 10 is worn. This can be seen in FIG. 2, for example. This configuration provides a much more compact and less obtrusive device, in comparison to typical life preservers having cover lobes that extend down the torso to the user's waist or abdomen.

A zippered pouch 32 (FIG. 3) is located inside the zippered central portion 22 of the cover 20, for holding items that are associated with the cover. Also, each zipper 30 may have a removable and reusable zipper pull that can be stored in the pouch 32.

The bladder 40 is an element that can be inflated from a packed or folded, stored condition to an unfolded and opened condition, enclosing air or another inflation fluid, to support the user in the water. The bladder 40 can be made in any one of a variety of different manners. In the illustrated embodiment, which is not limiting, the bladder 40 is made from two pieces of a very light weight film material that are fixed together around their perimeter edges 41 by, for example, RF welding, although that could be another method such as thermal, or adhesive.

One preferred material (not limiting) for the bladder 40 is Hoyu brand polyurethane 015395-E87M-Clear, which has a thickness of 6 mils, an ultimate tensile strength of 11,700 psi, an ultimate elongation of 583%, and a weight of 165 g/m². Another suitable material is Hoyu brand polyurethane 015590-E85M-Clear, which has a thickness of 6 mils, an ultimate tensile strength of 7,895 psi, an ultimate elongation of 715%, and a weight of 165 g/m². Each one of these materials is an uncoated, unwoven urethane film that can be adhered or bonded to other elements, for example by RF welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, etc. The particular method of attachment is not critical.

The bladder material is strong enough to hold the pressure needed to support a user in the water lying on the back with the head above water. In one embodiment, the amount of buoyancy that is provided is at least about thirty (30) pounds and preferably about forty (40) pounds. The amount of buoyancy that is provided is fit and temperature dependent. The desired material is much lighter in weight than a typical life preserver bladder material; as a result, the bladder 40 itself weighs only a few ounces. The combination of the material's thinness, light weight, high tensile strength, and high elongation are helpful in making the device performance (and low volume when packed) achievable. Other materials with similar characteristics are suitable.

When the two pieces of the bladder 40 are welded together, the resulting element can be laid flat as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The bladder 40 may have a cross-sectional size that varies along its extent. The bladder 40 as thus formed has a generally U-shaped configuration, or horseshoe-shaped configuration, similar to that of the cover, including a central portion or collar section 42, and two lobes 44 and 44a. The lobes 44 and 44a of the bladder 40, when inflated, are much longer than the lobes 24 and 24a of the cover 20. This difference can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, which shows one stage in the process of assembling and packing the device 10. This difference can also be seen in FIG. 13, which shows the device 10 when the bladder 40 is in an inflated condition. As the two bladder lobes 44 and 44a are substantially similar to each other, only the left bladder lobe 44 is described in detail.

The bladder lobe 44 has an intermediate section or upper lobe section 48 that extends from the collar section 42 and that is about the same length as the cover lobe 24. An end section or lower section 50 of the bladder lobe 44 extends from the upper lobe section 48 and terminates in a terminal end portion 51 of the bladder lobe. A fold line indicated schematically at 52 can be said to form the boundary between the upper lobe section 48 and the lower lobe section 50. In practice, when the bladder 40 is to be stored in the cover 20, as described below, the bladder lobe 44 is folded (up) at the fold line 52, in a manner as described below, so that the lower lobe section 50 overlies the upper lobe section, thus decreasing the overall length of the folded bladder lobe to about the same length as that of the cover lobe 24.

The device 10 includes an inflator or cylinder assembly 60 (FIG. 12) for inflating the bladder 40. The particular construction and configuration of the inflator or cylinder assembly 60 is not critical for this invention. The inflator 60 may be of the type that can be actuated manually by pulling on a cord. Alternatively or additionally, the inflator 60 might be actuated automatically, for example by sensing of water depth, or by sensing the presence of water. Finally, in a known manner, the inflator 60 can be bypassed and the bladder 40 inflated directly by the user via an oral inflation tube 62 (FIG. 4). The inflator 60 has an output 64 (FIG. 12) that can be connected with an inflator ring 66 on the collar section 42 of the bladder 40 to place the inflator output in fluid communication with the bladder. Placing the inflator 60 in the collar section of the bladder 40 is one factor that enables the lobes 16 and 16a of the device 10 to be as small as they are.

As noted above, the personal flotation device 10 includes structure for holding the device on the user. The particular device that is illustrated is designed to be worn over and attached to an armor carrier or a vest or jacket 12 (FIGS. 1-3) having MOLLE fastening openings. As such, the device includes two back straps 80 that are operable to secure the collar section of the device to the back of the user's underlying vest 12 or jacket. The back straps 80 are fixed, for example by sewing, to the collar section 22 of the cover 20. Thus, the collar section 22 of the cover 20 can be placed in a force-transmitting relationship with the MOLLE vest 12, to secure the collar section 14 of the device 10 on the user's upper torso. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the male end 82 of the back strap 80 is extended down, threaded through an opening 84 in the vest 12, looped back up, and then connected with the female buckle 86. The two back strap connections secure the collar section 22 of the cover 20, and thus the device collar section 14, to the vest 12.

The device also includes two chest straps 90 that are operable to secure the two lobes 16 of the device 10 to the upper front (chest) area of the user's underlying vest 12 or jacket. The chest straps 90 are sewn to the terminal end portions 26 and 26a of the cover lobe 24. Thus, each chest strap 90 can be placed in a force-transmitting relationship with its associated cover lobe 24, and is able to limit vertical movement of the cover lobe 24 and the associated bladder lobe. Specifically, the male end 92 of the chest strap 90 is extended down, threaded through an opening 94 in the vest 12, looped back up, and then connected with the female buckle portion 96 of the chest strap. This controls the vertical positioning of the device 10, holding the device in position on the user.

Finally, the device includes a two-part sternum strap 100 that releasably extends across the user's sternum area, interconnecting the two device lobes 16 and 16a at a buckle assembly in a position overlying the user's chest. A male portion (tongue) 102 extending from one device lobe 16 interconnects with a female portion (buckle) 104 extending from the other lobe 16a. The sternum strap 100 does not directly interconnect with the vest 12. The sternum strap 100 is further described below.

The device includes a number of connector elements or connectors that are used to help interconnect the bladder 40, the cover 20, and the straps 80, 90, and 100. The connector elements are described herein as fabric elements; they can be made from any one of a variety of sheet materials. One preferred material is coated nylon. Thus, the term “fabric” is not intended to be limiting. In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors are located on the back or inner side of the bladder 40, which lies against the user when inflated, and not on the outer exposed side of the bladder.

One connector, a collar connector 70 (FIG. 12), is located at the top of the device 10 and is a ring-shaped member about four inches wide encircling the central portion 42 of the bladder 40. The collar connector 70 is secured to the bladder 40, for example by bonding or RF welding, but only at the location of the inflator ring 66. Otherwise the collar connector 70 is not fixed to the bladder 40. The collar connector 70 encircles the top (collar section 42) of the bladder 40 and at that location protects the film material of the bladder 40. At that location also, the collar connector 70 is secured to the collar section 22 of the cover 20. This collar connector 70 thereby secures the collar section 42 of the bladder 40 in place in relation to the cover 20.

A second connector, the left connector 72, is secured on the lower lobe section 50 of the left bladder lobe 44, as best seen in FIG. 4. The left connector 72 has a generally T-shaped configuration when laid flat, including a crossbar portion 74 and a leg portion 76. The leg portion 76 is widened at its bottom end 77 and is there secured to the terminal end portion 51 of the bladder lobe 44. The crossbar portion 74 extends laterally from the top of the leg portion 76, between the two seam edges of the bladder lobe 44, on one side only of the bladder 40, thus “encircling” the bladder for only 180 degrees. The ends of the crossbar portion 74 are secured to the two edge seams of the bladder lobe 44. The terminal end portion 26 of the cover lobe 24 is fixed to the lateral center of the crossbar portion 74 of the left connector 72. Thus, at this location, the left connector 72 is secured to the cover lobe 24, and the crossbar portion 74 of the left connector secures the terminal end portion 26 of the cover lobe to the bladder 40.

The right bladder lobe 44a, which is a mirror image of the left bladder lobe 44, has secured to it a third connector 72a, not discussed in detail as it is basically a mirror image of the second connector.

The three connectors 70, 72, and 72a thus (a) connect the bladder 40 to the cover 20 and to the inflator 60; (b) provide support for the sternum strap 100 to keep the bladder lobes 44 and 44a in position close to the user's chest, to improve self-righting and flotation performance; and (c) in the case of the collar connector 70, provide protection to the bladder when the user opens the access pouch 32.

The sternum strap 100 extends outward from the bladder 44. Specifically, one side 103 of the sternum strap 100, which carries the male part 102 of the sternum strap buckle assembly, is secured to the left connector 72 and to the bladder lobe 44, and thus to the left cover lobe 24. The other side 105 of the sternum strap 100, which carries the female part 104 of the sternum strap buckle assembly, is secured to the right connector 72a and to the bladder lobe 44a, and thus to the right cover lobe 24a. These connections are formed at (and thus the sternum strap 100 is at the height of) the terminal end portions 26, 26a of the cover lobes 24, 24a. The length of the two sternum strap parts 103 and 105 is fixed and is selected to enable the sternum strap 100, when buckled, to constrain the bladder lobes 44 and 44a. As a result, the sternum strap 100 is in a force-transmitting relationship between the two cover lobes 24, and thereby also the two bladder lobes 44, and is able to limit lateral and outward movement of the bladder lobes 44 and 44a when inflated as described below.

Because the bladder 40 is made from a more elastic material that normal for this type of device, and because its mounting location is higher on the torso than normal, the connectors 70, 72, and 72a help to constrain the bladder; for example, each connector 72 and 72a is tied into its associated bladder lobe 44 or 44a at the two diametrically opposite sides and at the bottom of the bladder lobe, and thus wraps partially around the bladder lobe circumference (on the back or inner side), thus keeping the material of the bladder in the desired configuration. In this regard, it is significant that the sternum strap 100 holds the two bladder lobes 44 and 44a in place; if they were free to float away from the user's chest, the self-righting performance would be compromised.

The left connector 72 serves to form an attachment point on the device lobe 16. Multiple elements are attached to the left connector 72. First, the left connector 72 is fixed to the terminal end 26 of the cover lobe 20. Also, the bladder lobe 44 is fixed to the left connector 72 at the lobe edges. As a result, the left bladder lobe 44 is secured to the terminal end portion 26 of the cover 20. The buckle portion of the chest strap 90 is connected via a backing plate to the to the terminal end portion of the cover lobe 24 and the connector 72. These elements are thus all connected together.

As noted above, each bladder lobe 44, 44a is significantly and substantially longer than its associated cover lobe 24, 24a. Therefore, during assembly of the device, the bladder lobes are folded and/or rolled to fit into the cover lobes as described below.

Specifically, the bladder lobe 44 when uninflated is both substantially wider than and substantially longer than the cover lobe 24. Therefore, to commence the preferred folding process, a side portion 110 of the lower lobe section 50 of the bladder lobe 44 is folded laterally as shown by the arrow 112 in FIG. 5, so as to overlie the remainder of the lower lobe section of the bladder lobe. This lateral fold is made at about the region 113 of the zippered inner edge of the cover lobe 24. At this point, the sternum strap portion 103 extends or projects laterally outward from the bladder 40.

Next, as indicated by the arrow 114 in FIG. 6, the projecting sternum strap portion 103 is folded laterally inward to overlie the partially folded bladder 40. The inward folded sternum strap portion 103 overlies the upper lobe section 48 of the bladder lobe 44.

In the next folding step (FIG. 8), the lower lobe section 50 of the bladder lobe 44 is folded up, at the fold line 52, as indicated by the arrow 116, so that the lower lobe section overlies the upper lobe section 48 of the bladder lobe 44. The lower lobe section 50 also overlies the sternum strap portion 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower lobe section 50 and the upper lobe section 48 are close to being the same length, and so the lower lobe section of the bladder lobe 44 when thus folded extends upward in the cover lobe 24 almost to the point where the cover lobe merges with the cover central portion 22. Because the fold line 52 is at the attachment point, and the attachment point is at the terminal end portion 26 of the cover lobe 24, the entire bladder lobe 44 thus can fit vertically within the vertical extent of the cover lobe 24, above the terminal end portion of the cover lobe.

As thus folded, the bladder lobe 44 is still wider than the cover lobe 24. To address this width difference, the folded bladder lobe 44 (lower lobe section 50 and upper lobe section 48) is folded (or preferably rolled) sideways, as indicated by the arrows 118 in FIGS. 9 and 119 in FIG. 10, to make a package that will fit laterally within the relatively small confines of the zipped-up cover lobe 24. Once this is accomplished, the cover lobe 24 can thereafter be zipped closed.

During this folding and rolling process, the sternum strap 100 is carefully threaded laterally out of a notch 120 (FIG. 7) in the terminal end portion 26 of the cover lobe 24. The two edges of the cover lobe 24, when zipped closed, surround or encircle the projecting sternum strap 100, effectively turning the notch into an opening instead. Because the sternum strap 100 is between the folded upper and lower lobe sections 48 and 50, the sternum strap does not interfere with or stop the lower end section of the bladder lobe 44 from unfolding (flipping down) when the bladder 40 inflates.

When the inflator 60 is actuated, the bladder 40 expands with enough force to rupture the breakaway zippers 30. As the bladder 40 inflates, the inflation fluid in the bladder lobe 44 causes the bladder lobe 44 to unroll and unfold to a fully inflated condition as shown in FIG. 13-15. Inflation of the device 10 is described with reference to only one bladder lobe 44; the other bladder lobe 44a inflates substantially similarly.

As noted above, FIG. 13 is a front view of the personal flotation device 10—that is, the major side (outside) that is presented outward when the device is worn, is seen in these views. In this view, the bladder 40 is transparent. Therefore, many elements in FIG. 13 that appear to be in front of the bladder 40 (toward the viewer) are, in fact, behind the bladder, only appearing to be in front of it because of the transparent nature of the bladder. Thus, for example, in FIG. 13 the fabric elements 70, 72, and 72a, and the cover 20, are in fact behind the transparent bladder 40.

This unrolling and unfolding process that occurs when the bladder 40 inflates includes, among other things, the bladder lower lobe section 50 flipping out (away from the user) and down, at the fold line 52, thus moving away from the bladder lobe intermediate section 48. In this condition, the lower lobe section 50 of the bladder lobe 44 extends down below and past the terminal end portion of the opened cover lobe 24.

The inflated bladder 40 is large enough to support the user and the user's carried gear, in the water, in a face-up position; this, despite the bladder when uninflated extending down only over a portion of the user's chest. When the bladder 40 is inflated, the connectors 72 and 72a provide structural support that keeps the bladder lobes 44 and 44a closer to the user's chest, to improve self-righting and flotation performance. The connectors 72 and 72a constrain the more elastic material of the bladder 40; they wrap partially around the circumference of the bladder lobe 44, being secured at the bladder edge seams, thus keeping the bladder lobe in the desired configuration when inflated. The sternum strap 100 holds the two bladder lobes in place; if they were free to float away from the user's chest, the self-righting performance would be compromised.

When thus inflated, the device 10 provides self-righting flotation for a user carrying a heavy load, to help prevent drowning. Self-righting flotation is achieved by providing appropriate buoyancy, and distributing the buoyancy on the body appropriately. In the case of the device 10, from about thirty to about fifty pounds of buoyancy, and preferably from about thirty five to about forty five pounds, is deemed the appropriate requirement for a tactical user (the in-water weight of a human carrying some equipment is lower than on-land weight). The buoyancy is provided on the chest (which brings the user's chest up) and behind the head (to keep the head out of the water).

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the inflatable life preserver of the present invention uses a novel packing method with a lightweight inflatable film bladder that allows it to integrate with equipment so that it is not noticeable to the user in the uninflated condition and does not impede the user's operations. When worn in the uninflated condition, the device takes up only a small amount of space, and only on the user's chest, not extending down to the waist or abdominal area. When inflated, the device floats the user (carrying standard tactical equipment) and will turn the user face up if the user is unconscious. This feature is provided by, among other things, the anchoring design that holds the bladder against the torso with surface mounted buckles and a sternum strap. In the uninflated state, the bladder is folded and rolled in a novel way that minimizes the device footprint. The device can be attached to a MOLLE vest or armor carrier as shown, or for a separate harness, or other appropriate gear. In the inflated condition, the inflatable bladder material is unsupported and is constrained to provide buoyancy distribution to turn a user face-up with the needed amount of buoyancy at the water line.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications in the invention. For example, the bladder folding procedure could be different; for example, a different number of folds could be provided, or rolls, or a different bladder material could be used. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A personal flotation, device configured to be worn on a user's torso, the torso having a front, the personal flotation device comprising:

a bladder having a uninflated condition, the bladder being inflatable from the uninflated condition into an inflated condition;

an actuatable inflator for inflating the bladder; and

a cover for enclosing and protecting the bladder when the bladder is in the uninflated condition, the cover having a generally U-shaped configuration including a collar section extending around a back of a neck of the user and two lobes extending from the collar section down the front of the user's torso when the user is wearing the personal flotation device on the user's torso;

the bladder having a generally U-shaped configuration including a collar section extending around the back of the users neck and two lobes extending from the collar section down the front of the user's torso when the user is wearing the personal flotation device on the user's torso, the bladder lobes when in the uninflated condition being, enclosed in the cover lobes, the bladder lobes inflating out of the cover lobes upon inflation of the bladder;

each bladder lobe when inflated having a length that is substantially greater than the length of the cover lobe.

2. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 1 wherein each bladder lobe unfolds and inflates past the cover lobe terminal end portion when the bladder is inflated.

3. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 2 wherein each bladder lobe includes an intermediate section extending from the bladder collar section and an end section extending from the intermediate section, the cover lobe having a terminal end portion, the end section of the bladder lobe being folded along a main fold line to overlie the intermediate section when the bladder is in the uninflated condition and stored in the cover, the bladder lobe unfolding and the end section inflating away from the intermediate section and the collar section of the bladder and past the terminal end portion of the cover lobe when the bladder is inflated.

4. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the bladder lobe extends along a lobe axis from the bladder collar section through the intermediate section and the end section to a terminal end section of the bladder lobe, the bladder lobe unfolding along the main fold line which extends transverse to the bladder lobe axis when the bladder is inflated.

5. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the bladder lobe is folded in a sequence of steps including folding the bladder end section first laterally along a fold line extending in a direction generally parallel to the axis, then folding the bladder lobe along the main fold line so that, the bladder end section overlies the intermediate section, then folding or rolling the bladder lobe laterally to a finished size in which it will fit within the cover lobe when the cover lobe is zipped closed.

6. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 1, further including a sternum strap connecting the first and second cover lobes and the first and second bladder lobes adjacent to the terminal end portions of the cover lobes, and wherein the sternum strap has a releasable connection, located between the two cover lobes, to enable doffing and donning of the personal flotation device.

7. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 6 wherein during use of the personal flotation device in the water to support a user in the water, the bladder inflates to provide sufficient force to support the user's head out of the water in a face up orientation.

8. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bladder is made from polyurethane that has a thickness of about 6 mils, an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 11,700 psi, an ultimate elongation of at least about 583%, and a weight of about 165 g/m2.

9. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of fabric connector elements that connect the bladder with the cover at spaced locations including a first connector element at the collar section and a second connector element at the terminal end portion of the cover lobe.

10. A personal flotation device that is configured to be worn on a user's torso, the torso, having a front, the personal flotation device comprising:

a bladder having an uninflated condition, the bladder being inflatable from the uninflated condition into an inflated condition;

an actuatable inflator for inflating the bladder; and

a cover enclosing the bladder when the bladder is in the uninflated condition the cover having a generally U-shaped configuration including a collar section extending around a back of a neck of the user and two cover lobes extending from the collar section down the front of the user's torso when the personal flotation device is on the user's torso, the cover lobes having terminal end portions;

the bladder having two inflatable lobes that when in the uninflated condition are enclosed in the cover lobes, the bladder lobes having portions that inflate out past the terminal end portions of the collar lobes when the bladder is inflated;

the bladder being made from a polyurethane material having a weight in the range of about 150 g/m2 to about 200 g/m2; and

the personal flotation device also comprising at least three fabric connectors secured to the bladder and interconnecting the bladder and the cover;

including a first fabric connector at the collar portion of the personal flotation device that encircles the collar section of the bladder and that connects the collar section of the bladder to the collar section of the cover;

a second fabric connector at the terminal end portion of the left cover lobe that connects the left bladder lobe to the terminal end portion of the left cover lobe; and

a third fabric connector at the terminal end portion of the right cover lobe that connects the right bladder lobe to the terminal end portion of the right cover lobe.

11. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 10 wherein the personal flotation device includes a sternum strap that extends between and interconnects the second and third fabric connectors to limit separation of the bladder lobes from each other and from the user's torso when the bladder is inflated.

12. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 10 further including two chest straps, one each being connected to and extending from the terminal end portion of a respective cover lobe for interconnection with a garment worn by the user, and also two back straps that are connected to and extend from the collar section of the cover for interconnection with said garment.

13. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 10 wherein each bladder lobe includes an intermediate section extending from the bladder collar section and an end section extending from the intermediate section, the end section of the bladder lobe being folded to overlie the intermediate section when the bladder is in the uninflated condition and stored in the cover, the bladder lobe unfolding and the end section inflating away from the intermediate section and away from the collar section of the bladder and past the terminal end portion of the cover lobe when the bladder is inflated.