Abstract: A spine force modulating assembly for supporting a human spine that prevents, slows down, and or treats spine-related disorders. The spine force modulating assembly includes a frame of a length proportional to a distance between a third thoracic spine bone and a first sacral spine bone of a spine of a wearer of the spine force modulating assembly. The frame is of a “S” shape and configured to support a spine portion between the third thoracic spine bone and the first sacral spine bone. The spine force modulating assembly further includes a pair of shoulder straps extending from near the upper end of the frame and a pair of waist straps extending from near the lower end of the frame.

Abstract: A buoyant vest having a body portion that is securable around the upper torso of the wearer. The body member has a front portion and a back portion affixed together to form a neck opening and a shoulder portion one each side of the neck opening A buoyant collar member may be removably attached to the shoulder portions and may be selectively positioned at the front portion of the vest to support the wearer's chin, or at the back portion of the vest to provide support to the user's neck, when the user is in water.

Abstract: A garment includes a first garment portion including a pocket, and the pocket includes an opening. A second garment portion is movable relative to the first garment portion. An adjustment system is at least partially disposed within the pocket and couples the second garment portion and the first garment portion. The adjustment system is manipulable by the wearer to move the second garment portion at least partially into the pocket via the opening to thereby adjust a fit of the garment on the wearer.

Abstract: A pet immobilizing system utilizes a vest to located a bladder between a pet's legs. The bladder is rapidly inflated to hinder the pet's movement or to immobilize the pet. A remote electronic device sends a wireless signal to a wireless signal receiver coupled with the pressure source to activate inflation of the bladder. A pressure source may be canister or chemical inflation pressure source that produces an inflation fluid from the reaction of two or more chemicals, A vest may include a waist portion that extends around the pet's waist. A bladder compartment may be configured in the vest for retaining the bladder. A bladder compartment may have an opening to direct the inflation of the bladder out between the pet's legs. A remote electronic device may be a mobile phone that operates an App with an activation button to initiate inflation of the bladder.

Abstract: A therapeutic flotation device and a therapeutic method of use thereof is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of buoyant float elements and a member (an elongated web strap) that couples each of the buoyant float elements such that the buoyant float elements are serially aligned along the member. A first end of the member is secured to a second end of the member. A mating mechanism, such as a buckle, secures the first end of the member to the second end of the member, or the two ends of the member may be permanently secured to each other using an adhesive or by being sewn together. Each of the buoyant float elements has a center aperture aligned along the center of a cross-section thereof. The member is preferably coupled to each of the buoyant float elements by being sequentially passed through the center apertures of each buoyant float element.

Abstract: An article of clothing includes user-protection circuitry, integrated into the article of clothing. The user-protection circuitry includes condition-detection circuitry, which, in operation, generates one or more indications related to an environment of the article of clothing. The user-protection circuitry also includes broadcast circuitry including at least one pulsing device, and control circuitry. The control circuitry, in operation, activates the broadcast circuitry based on the one or more indications related to the environment of the article of clothing generated by the condition-detection circuitry.

Abstract: A backpack for carrying by a user includes a body, an inflatable balloon, a balloon inflation system, a balloon inflation system coupled to the body and to the inflatable balloon, an actuator operably coupled to the balloon inflation system, and a leg strap assembly. The body includes a support element and at least a first enclosure. The inflatable balloon is positioned within the enclosure. The leg strap assembly includes a leg strap fastener, a first leg strap having a first end coupled to the support element and a second end coupled to the leg strap fastener, and a second leg strap end having a first end coupled to the body and a second end releasably connectable to the leg strap fastener. The support element is coupled to the balloon such that, upon inflation of the balloon, tensile force is applied to the support element and to the leg strap assembly.

Abstract: An article of clothing includes user-protection circuitry, integrated into the article of clothing. The user-protection circuitry includes condition-detection circuitry, which, in operation, generates one or more indications related to an environment of the article of clothing. The user-protection circuitry also includes broadcast circuitry including at least one pulsing device, and control circuitry. The control circuitry, in operation, activates the broadcast circuitry based on the one or more indications related to the environment of the article of clothing generated by the condition-detection circuitry.

Abstract: A travel case includes a case body defining an interior cavity in which to carry articles and an exterior shell; an inflatable floatation aid fixed to the exterior shell; an inflator in communication with the inflatable floatation aid, for inflation of the inflatable floatation aid; and a locator beacon fixed to the exterior shell, including a communications transmitter capable of signaling a remote party and a geo-locating apparatus.

Abstract: A personal life raft includes a rigid compartment, a first flexible arm member in sealed engagement with a first port on a first side of the rigid compartment, a second flexible arm member in sealed engagement with a second port on a second side of the rigid compartment. Each of the first flexible arm member and the second flexible arm member are impervious to water or waterproof such that water does not pass therethrough. The rigid compartment has a body chamber therein having a volume to encompass at least an upper torso of a user of the personal life raft. The rigid compartment displaces sufficient water so that the personal life raft is buoyant while in use by the user.

Abstract: A floatation member for ballistic carrier vest includes a first outer layer and an intermediate layer overlying the first outer layer. A peripheral edge of the intermediate layer is secured to a peripheral edge of the first outer layer to define a first cavity therebetween. A panel selected from a non-ballistic panel and a ballistic panel is received within the first cavity. A second outer layer overlies the intermediate layer and a peripheral edge of the second outer layer secured to the peripheral edge of the intermediate layer to define a second cavity therebetween. A valve configured to deliver an inflation gas into the second cavity. In a further aspect, a ballistic safety article for providing ballistic protection for a person is provided.

Abstract: A backpack including a body including a first enclosure defining a first compartment and an opening, an inflatable balloon positioned within the compartment, a zipper, a balloon inflation system, and an actuator. The first enclosure includes at least a first restricting element. The zipper includes first and second fastener tapes attached to the enclosure at the opening. The zipper includes at least a first targeted zipper separation location aligned with the first restricting element. The balloon inflation system is coupled to the body and the inflatable balloon. The actuator is operably coupled to the balloon inflation system, such that upon actuation of the inflation system with the zipper in a closed position, the first restricting element concentrates a zipper separation force in a direction generally perpendicular to an engagement line of the zipper to separate the first and second fastener tapes of the zipper at the first targeted zipper location.

Abstract: The present application describes clothing that incorporates an inflation system for individual protection of permanent use. The integration method of the inflation system provides the garments to offer freedom of movement and be aesthetically appealing, allowing its use in various activities in the water and preventing death by drowning. This system can be directly applied to any type of clothing.

Abstract: A flotation vest comprising single adjustment strap for adjusting the girth or the vest as well as the length of the vest to allow for a proper fit around the wearer by adjustment of a single continuous strap.

Abstract: A garment for outdoor wear, having a central portion adapted to fit about an adult's torso, the central portion comprising respective side panels; sleeves extending downwardly from the upper extremity of the central portion, to accommodate the arms of a person wearing the garment; and size-adjusting closures extending from the lower extremity of the central portion upwardly under the sleeves.

Abstract: An inflatable swim vest is constructed with a first layer and a second layer having respective outer edges variously secured together by a temporary closure to define a compartment therebetween. An inflatable bladder arrangement includes an inflatable bladder stored and housed in a deflated condition in separate areas of the compartment. The inflatable bladder arrangement further includes an inflator mechanism operatively connected to a charged gas canister and to the inflatable bladder. The fixtures securing the outer edges of the first and second layers include a temporary closure configured for temporarily affixing the outer edges together and to be easily separable such that upon actuation of the inflator mechanism, gas is delivered to the inflatable bladder. This results in an inflated condition of the bladder, and produces a force that will open the temporary closure and enable expansion of the bladder out of the compartment of the vest.

Abstract: A MOLLE system compatible garment has a lightweight attachment structure with a skeleton of horizontal bands connected by a few vertical bands. The horizontal bands are thus accessible from both the interior and the exterior permitting accessories to be attached to either side of the garment. The bands may be sewn with regularly spaced vertical seams to each other or to a plastic substrate. The horizontal bands are connected with supportive vertical bands which serve to retain the shape of the garment, and which do not interfere with the regularly spaced loops of the horizontal webbing bands. Conventional accessories can be attached to both the interior and the exterior of the garment.

Abstract: A safety-retrieval system comprised of three components, a life jacket with reinforced tethering points, a waist belt with tethering points to be worn around a secondary person's waist, and a tethering line/leash to connect the life jacket to the waist belt.

Abstract: A safety-retrieval system comprised of three components, a life jacket with reinforced tethering points, a waist belt with tethering points to be worn around a secondary person's waist, and a tethering line/leash to connect the life jacket to the waist belt.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to personal flotation devices (PFDs). Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to PFDs having one or more integrated tethers that may allow a PFD (and its wearer) to be coupled to another PFD (and its wearer) via the integrated tether(s). In some examples, a personal flotation device may include a vest including a buoyant component adapted to float in a body of water, and at least one tether. Each tether may include a first end fixed to the vest and a second end detachably coupled to the vest.

Abstract: A survival vest may include a vest body. The vest body may include a bladder containing pouch extending through left front, left shoulder, scapular, right shoulder and right front sections. That pouch may include a bladder release gap. A plurality of equipment attachment loops may be located on exterior faces of the vest. An inflatable bladder may be contained within the bladder containing pouch and may be configured to expand outside the bladder containing pouch through a bladder release gap upon inflation so as to push a left abdominal section of the vest body to the left and push a right abdominal section of the vest body to the right.

Abstract: A fishing vest is provided having a degree of flotation to assist the angler in the water and also having an auxiliary pack located in the front of the vest which provides an integral and portable work surface for creating or repairing fishing flies and lures and also provides integral storage for tools and fishing tackle.

Abstract: A selectively inflatable watersports inflation device is disclosed. The device is a vest or another wearable device having an inner layer, an outer layer, and a bladder between the inner and outer layers. The device also includes one or more canisters coupled to the bladder and configured to selectively deliver pressurized gas into the bladder to provide flotation when actuated. The device also includes a pressure release valve that can also be manually actuated to release pressure from the bladder. The device can include multiple discrete canisters that can each be deployed independently of one another to provide an inflatable device that can be triggered multiple times even in hazardous conditions such as high surf.

Abstract: A floatation garment assembly promotes buoyancy of a wearer in water while being less restrictive than a conventional life jacket. The assembly includes a main body having a front section, a rear section and a pelvic section coupled together. The pelvic section is coupled to and extends between a bottom of the front section and a bottom of the rear section. The main body has an open top end and a pair of leg openings extending into the main body. The leg openings are positioned adjacent to the pelvic section. The main body includes a floatation member constructed of a buoyant material for promoting buoyancy of the wearer in water. A first strap is positionable around the main body between the front section and the rear section for securing the main body around a lower body of a wearer.

Abstract: Hydra-aerodynamic Surfing Bib affixable to a WetSuit Comprising Retractable Removable Folding Revolving Motorizedly Steerable Pectoral Flippers And Keels, And With Built-In Rechargeable Battery-Propelled Engine And Solar Energy Capturer/Collector. The present invention relates to: (A) Water use embodiments for surfing. (A) The matter is about a body garment called curved hydrodynamic water bib wet suit; such wet suit the chest casing of which, in addition to that, has flippers and keels: (1) removable; (2) revolving; (3) folding; (4) retractable. The bib wet suit (A) consists of two versions: (i) a short version: a bib wet suit; (ii) a long version: a complete body bib wet suit.

Abstract: A fishing vest is provided having a degree of flotation to assist the angler in the water and also having an auxiliary pack located in the front of the vest which provides an integral and portable work surface for creating or repairing fishing flies and lures and also provides integral storage for tools and fishing tackle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a harness for a buoyancy control device, and a harness manufactured by such method. There is provided a method of manufacturing a harness for a buoyancy control device for use in a diving application, the method including the steps of: providing polymeric material; molding the polymeric material into separate components of the harness; and connecting the components to one another so as to form the harness. A harness including a plurality of molded polymeric components interconnected is also described.

Abstract: A flotation device including hardwired waterproof speakers and one or more waterproof pockets is disclosed herein. The flotation device may be a vest including one or more internal foam pads that provide flotation. The waterproof speakers may be integrated into the shoulders of the vest, for example, in the shoulders on the front or back of the vest. The speakers may be wired internally through the vest to the waterproof pocket, in which an amplifier and/or a handheld media device may be stored.

Abstract: A comfortable personal floatation device that provides adjustable buoyancy to a wearer for water activities. One or more foam-like tubes are worn on the upper back of the wearer. The wearer places an arm in each of the respective arm holes and secures the floatation device with an attachment piece across the chest. The floatation device is can be configured for many applications, is lightweight, easy to use, and does not restrict movement of the wearer's arms or legs.

Abstract: This device comprises an iron casing closed with a glass door to be broken in the case of an emergency, within which is located, above a bench a motor that drives a shaft in rotation, on which is mounted a reel winding a rope attached to a life jacket that fits on the rescuer body, provided with a whistle. The end of the reel shaft bearings rests on a supporting tripod at the end of the bench and, on the outer side, has a coupling in order to mount a crank for winding by hand in the case of engine failure. A pole is anchored along the beach, the end thereof having a snap hook of the quick opening type, through which the rescuer passes the rope before entering the water.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a safety belt (4), comprising a quick release fastening means (5) attached to a first end of the belt for releasably retaining a second end of the belt around a user, and one or more tensioning elements (8) for exerting tension on the first end of the belt proximal to the quick release fastening means (5) such that, when the quick release fastening means (5) is operated by a user to release the safety belt (4), the one or more tensioning elements (8) pulls the quick release fastening means (5) free from the second end.

Abstract: A flotation device comprises a shoulder strap and a cross strap connected to the shoulder strap. There is an inflatable bladder extending along the shoulder strap and an inflation means for inflating the inflatable bladder. The shoulder strap is configured to extend over one shoulder of the user and under a first arm of the user. The first arm of the user is opposite to the said one shoulder of the user. The cross strap is configured to extend under a second arm of the user.

Abstract: A personal flotation is provided having a body harness portion and an inflatable lifejacket portion. The body harness portion is positionable on a wearer. The lifejacket is positionable about the neck of the wearer, where the lifejacket portion is removably secured to the body harness portion with a quick release connector. The lifejacket can be removed from the wearer by decoupling lifejacket portion from the body harness portion, and removing the lifejacket portion from about the neck of the wearer. The body harness portion will remain positioned on the wearer.

Abstract: A marker and recovery device has a body for securing to a torso and an arch secured to the body at spaced locations. The arch is extendable from a stored to a deployed condition. In the deployed condition, the arch extends from the torso of the wearer to function as a visible marker. The arch facilitates recovery of the wearer.

Abstract: A personal flotation is provided having a body harness portion and an inflatable lifejacket portion. The body harness portion is positionable on a wearer. The lifejacket is positionable about the neck of the wearer, where the lifejacket portion is removably secured to the body harness portion with a quick release connector. The lifejacket can be removed from the wearer by decoupling lifejacket portion from the body harness portion, and removing the lifejacket portion from about the neck of the wearer. The body harness portion will remain positioned on the wearer.

Abstract: A pull-over life vest with half-zip has a zipper disposed on the front panel with a closed-end and an open-end. Preferably, the zipper has a beginning closed-end located in the vertical and horizontal center of the front panel and a terminating open-end located at the vertical and horizontal lower edge of the front panel.

Abstract: A personal flotation garment device is provided for facilitating balanced flotation of a snorkeler swimming in a horizontal alignment or floating vertically. The garment comprises a front portion, a back portion, two laterally opposed arm portions and a plurality of buoyancy pockets. The garment may be formed in the shape of a shirt having a zipper extending vertically along the bisected center of said front portion to allow a user to don the garment. Buoyancy pockets enclosing closed-cell foam material are symmetrically disposed about the front and back portions. These buoyancy elements are balanced to allow a snorkeler to comfortably swim face down in a body of water. The garment may be constructed of an insulating layer and an elastic liner to promote contoured fit that provides thermal retention and UV protection.

Abstract: A floatation member for ballistic carrier vest includes a first outer layer and an intermediate layer overlying the first outer layer. A peripheral edge of the intermediate layer is secured to a peripheral edge of the first outer layer to define a first cavity therebetween. A panel selected from a non-ballistic panel and a ballistic panel is received within the first cavity. A second outer layer overlies the intermediate layer and a peripheral edge of the second outer layer secured to the peripheral edge of the intermediate layer to define a second cavity therebetween. A valve configured to deliver an inflation gas into the second cavity. In a further aspect, a ballistic safety article for providing ballistic protection for a person is provided.

Abstract: A life jacket includes a hood and a hydration pack. The hood may be neoprene protecting the head from the water. The hydration pack may be insulated. The hydration pack may include a flow tube with a filter providing clean water to the user. The life jacket may include waterproof insulated pockets protecting contents therein.

Abstract: A swim trainer vest comprising a swimmer support handle to hold the child up horizontally in water and instruct the child to perform swim strokes so that a child can become a better swimmer. The swim trainer vest has adjustable safety straps and safety latches to fit the swim trainer vest on children with different body circumferences and weights.

Abstract: A vest type flotation device having means for holding the flotation device in a folded configuration for transport and storage. In one embodiment a transport and storage strap member is attached substantially at its outer end to one of the right and left sides. The transport and storage strap member has a first portion of a first releasable locking member set attached thereto adjacent its inner end. A second portion of the first releasable locking member set is attached to one of the right and left front portions of the device. A second portion of a second releasable locking member set is attached to the right or left side of the device opposite the side to which the outer end of the transport and storage strap member is attached.

Abstract: A life jacket includes a hood and a hydration pack. The hood may be neoprene protecting the head from the water. The hydration pack may be insulated. The hydration pack may include a flow tube with a filter providing clean water to the user. The life jacket may include waterproof insulated pockets protecting contents therein.

Abstract: A personal visibility mark may increase the visibility of a person in the water to operators of watercraft or the like and may be used in combination with a personal flotation device. The personal visibility mark may include a housing including at least one intake opening. The housing may be removeably coupled to a personal flotation device or may be an integral component of the personal flotation device. A pump may be disposed within the housing and may be fluidly coupled to the intake opening and at least one nozzle for expelling a stream of water from the nozzle to increase the visibility of a user. The stream of water may include an interrupted stream. The interrupted stream may be provided by modulating the power to the pump and/or providing a self-resonating nozzle.

Abstract: A fishing vest is provided having a degree of flotation to assist the angler in the water and also having an auxiliary pack located in the front of the vest which provides an integral and portable work surface for creating or repairing fishing flies and lures and also provides integral storage for tools and fishing tackle.

Abstract: An active control releasable ballast system for dive equipment is disclosed which in one embodiment includes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release buckle within a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before the weight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to another individual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is a conscious and deliberate act.

Abstract: An open water training and safety device includes a flexible hollow cover having an internal cavity, and a flexible wall defining at least first and second compartments. An amount of buoyant floatation material is mounted in the first compartment. The buoyant material is sized to provide buoyancy for a swimmer supported by the device when floating in the water. The second compartment may be a pocket sized for carrying swimming accessories therein. The cover is closable so that the swimmer may selectively open and close the two compartments. Advantageously a hydration pack is mounted or mountable in one of the compartments. An elongate towing tether is mountable at a base end of the tether to the cover, for example by means of a harness which includes a pair of straps. The tether is adapted at a distal end thereof, distal from said base end, to be releasably mounted to the swimmer for towing said device behind the swimmer.

Abstract: A flotation device including hardwired waterproof speakers and one or more waterproof pockets is disclosed herein. The flotation device may be a vest including one or more internal foam pads that provide flotation. The waterproof speakers may be integrated into the shoulders of the vest, for example, in the shoulders on the front or back of the vest. The speakers may be wired internally through the vest to the waterproof pocket, in which an amplifier and/or a handheld media device may be stored.

Abstract: A life vest includes a hydration pack capable of providing hydration to a user of the life vest; and a personal locator having a global positioning system receiver and a transmitter capable of transmitting the global positioning system location of the user of the life vest.

Abstract: A combination of doll and flotation device for demonstrating water safety employs a doll of human-like form sufficiently heavy to sink in water. A removable flotation device which fits the doll, such as a life jacket is designed to be placed on the doll and secured by fasteners such as the Velcro® fixed to opposed edges along the closure gap in the life vest. The life vest, or other flotation device, must be sufficiently buoyant to support the doll as well as it's own weight. The combination has utility in teaching children and adults life saving using familiar devices used in water safety. It allows the student to apply the flotation device to the doll, and remove it as required, and place the doll in the water to float with the flotation device or sink without it.

Abstract: A TPU composition comprising two or more TPU polymers is disclosed. The TPU composition gives a broad process window for melt coating applications. The blend of TPUs give better processing than either of the individual TPU polymers used in the blend alone. This results in melt coating which gives less matt and glossy streaks and allows faster coating speeds along with lower coating weight. The two or more TPU polymers used in the blend have a different soft segment. The different soft segment is created by using different molecular weight polyol for the TPU polymers or by using chemically different polyols.