Abstract: A floatation garment includes a front panel formed of a front panel sheet of elastic material tapering inwardly at the front panel sheet lower end and having series of buoyant members which are laterally spaced apart and contained within the front panel sheet, and a generally horizontal front securing strap having front strap connection means at opposing strap ends and a rear panel formed of rear panel sheet also tapering inwardly at the rear panel sheet lower end and also having a generally horizontal rear securing strap having rear strap connection means at opposing strap ends positioned to connect to corresponding front strap connection means, the front and rear panel sheets preferably being interconnected at the front and rear panel sheet lower ends by an elastic connecting segment to form a single, continuous garment sheet.

Abstract: Pants have top and bottom and intermediate extents, a front and a rear, and left and right sides. The top extent has a small torus and a large torus. Left and right fasteners are in the large torus. First and second bladders are in the large torus adjacent to the left side. Third and fourth bladders are in the large torus adjacent to the right side. A left tube is operatively coupled the first and second bladder. A right tube is operatively coupled to the third and fourth bladder.

Abstract: Pants have top and bottom and intermediate extents, a front and a rear, and left and right sides. The top extent has a small torus and a large torus. Left and right fasteners are in the large torus. First and second bladders are in the large torus adjacent to the left side. Third and fourth bladders are in the large torus adjacent to the right side. A left tube is operatively coupled the first and second bladder. A right tube is operatively coupled to the third and fourth bladder.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a construction for a flotation device, the construction comprising a pants portion configured to be worn on the lower body of a user, and an inflatable core coupled to the pants portion and configured to encircle the midsection of the user, wherein the inflatable core includes a first chamber and a second chamber, each chamber configured to encircle the midsection of the user and to be separately inflatable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a swimsuit comprising swimming trunks, a compressed gas cylinder with a user-operated valve, and one or more inflatable bladders attached to the swimming trunks. The swimsuit, apart from its basic function as clothing, performs simultaneously as a protecting and rescuing device in a life-threatening situation.

Abstract: Life-saving clothing, in particular for protecting against drowning persons in danger during travelling in water or any other liquid element. The life-saving clothing (1) includes a part encompassing the trunk of a user's body and is characterized in that the part has inflatable floating elements (3) which is made of a non-extensible material and is arranged in such a way that it takes a folded shape in the uninflated state thereof and forms a float around the user's trunk in the inflated state and the clothing (1) is provided with inflating elements (9) for the floating means. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of floating elements (3) is distributed substantially in front of and behind the user. The life-saving clothing (1) ensures the stable position of the user in such a way that the respiratory tract thereof is free.

Abstract: A child flotation device (10) that is comprised of a disposable diaper (12) having a front section (14), a rear section (16), a right leg opening (18) and a left leg opening (20). An elastic band (22) extends along the perimeter of the upper edge of the front section (14) and rear section (16), and encircles the right and left leg openings (18,20). An inflatable flotation ring (30) is either integrally or removably attached by an attachment means (42) around the diaper's front and rear sections (14,16). The removable attachment means (42) are comprised of at least two integral loops (44), a single strip of hook and loop fastener (46), at least two strips of hook and loop fastener (46) or a plurality of snap closures (48). When the flotation ring (30) is attached to the diaper (12) and inflated, the ring (30) provides the necessary flotation strength to support and maintain a child from sinking in water.

Abstract: A swimsuit includes a vest provided with buoyant floatation members, a bottom portion in the form of swim trunks, and a coupling mechanism for selectively coupling the vest to the trunks. The vest may be uncoupled from the swim trunks to permit a user to remove the swim trunks while still wearing the vest, or to remove the vest while still wearing the swim trunks.

Abstract: A personal flotation unit for supporting a person in a generally sitting position in the water, with the person's head and part of the person's torso above the water has a rear panel and a front panel each made from a flexible flotation material. A fabric seat is connected between bottom edges of the panels. Left edges of the panels are connected by strapping of some kind, as are the right edges of the panels. The seat and the strapping cooperate to form the panels into a diaper or pair of shorts that provides flotation allowing the user to sit in an upright position in water. Preferably the front panel has a T shape with arms that during use are bent backwards by the strapping to provide lateral flotation support for the wearer.

Abstract: There is provided an inflatable safety apparatus (10, 10?) which is manually or automatically operated having a compressed gas bottle (17, 20) with an operation rod (25, 54) in combination with an inflatable element (15, 18) which is initially folded upon itself as an open ring and housed in a ribbon-shaped case (13, 26) secured to the user's waist. The inflatable element (15, 18) is connected to the ribbon-shaped case (13, 26) by extensible tapes (27, 60) or ducts (14, 14?, 16, 16?) whose extension allows positioning the inflatable element at the height of the user's armpit.

Abstract: A flotation device adapted for use by a person in a body of water and float with minimal effort therein. The flotation device comprises a central section adapted to fit between a person's legs, a front and rear flotation packs, and an adjustable connection means. The flotation packs each have opposite ends, and a lower and upper side. The central section has opposite ends connected to the lower sides of the flotation packs. The adjustable connection means reversibly connects the respective opposite ends of the flotation packs. The flotation packs are made of any suitable floating material such as urethane closed cell foam that meets U.S. Coast Guard requirements (UL 1191). A pocket is optionally attached to one or both of the flotation packs.

Abstract: A flotation device to be worn for water activities includes first and second buoyant end portions and a clamping member that may be multi-sectional. The clamping member passes from an abdominal region of a user between the user's legs to a back region of a user and is used to move the buoyant portions toward and away from each other to clamp the flotation device to and unclamp the flotation device from the abdominal and back regions of a user's trunk. Preferably, the flotation device includes one or two connectors for connecting the flotation device to a tether so that a user of the flotation device can swim in place when wearing the flotation device.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use in linings for articles of clothing is disclosed, which is a mixture of a discontinuous solid phase of microballoons, and a viscous liquid continuous phase comprising a polydimethylsiloxane; the polydimethylsiloxane of the continuous phase has a viscosity between 100,000 cs and 2,000,000 cs; the viscosity of the polydimethylsiloxane of the continuous phase is achieved by incorporating polydimethylsiloxane molecules of sufficiently high molecular weight; containment within other materials is optional; additional dyes, pigments, particles, fibers, felts or fabrics can confer additional visibility, strength, stiffness, dryness or friction; accompanying properties of malleability, and thermal, electrical, vibratory, shock and acoustical insulation, also make this composition useful for other applications that require such qualities.

Abstract: A fashionable life saving device utilizes the look of casual clothing such as shorts, pants, bathing suits or skorts to disguise inflatable chambers, a gas canister and safety devices including a manual inflation tube, thereby providing a subtle way to ensure safety in and around the water. When inflated, the chambers rest under the users arms, but are safely attached to his waist or the lower part of his body for security and safety.

Abstract: An insulated flotation garment that has an insulating element and a flotation element bonded together by perimeter stitching to protect persons by keeping them warm and preventing them from being submerged in cold water.

Abstract: A safety swimwear is provided, having a bodice portion, at least one floatation member or bladder and a protective panel securely affixed to the exterior of the bodice portion and holding the bladder. The panel is securely affixed to the exterior side of the bodice portion in a manner which draws attention to the presence of the floatation member and/or the level of deflation or inflation of the bladder. The panel may be of a contrasting appearance, such as, a contrasting color, texture and/or pattern, against the bodice portion to highlight the presence of the panel and particularly the bladder. In an embodiment of the swimsuit, two bladders and two panels are provided so that one bladder is securely affixed to a front piece of the swimsuit and another bladder is securely affixed to a back piece of the swimsuit. The bladders and thus the panels may be of different configurations.

Abstract: A buoyant swim garment has inner and outer layers of fabric and, intermediate the inner and outer layers a buoyant flexible sheet material. The sheet material has spaced V-shaped grooves with sides meeting in a line at an apex, the grooves extending in a height-wise dimension of the garment to define panels. The periphery of the material has a bevel with a thin, pliant outer edge. Stitching extends through the apex of the V-shaped grooves and the inner and outer layers of fabric. In manufacturing the garment, the V-shaped grooves are skived, and the periphery of the sheet material is also skived to form the bevel. In one embodiment, the grooves face the inner layer of fabric, and the beveled periphery faces the outer layer.

Abstract: A personal floatation device particularly adapted for home use with babies under parental supervision. The personal floatation device has floatation foam pads sewn into a sturdy, non-slip, woven cotton cover. The back section has three floatation foam panels--the head support, the back support and the pant back. The front section has three floatation foam panels--the pant front, and two elongated suspender panels which are sewn into the waist of the pant and placed vertically over the baby's chest to attach to the lower portion of the floatation foam head support through use of Velcro strips sewn on to each side of the head support. The front and back panels of the pant are secured together with Velcro strips. The floatation foam in the head support has a cut-out hole in which the baby rests his head. The baby's face and breathing passages are clear of the water, allowing the baby to float comfortably in the back float survival position giving complete freedom of movement of arms and legs.

Abstract: A protective swimwear garment for infants and young children who wear diapers. The panty like garment is waterproof and is worn over the diaper. A seal is made between the body and the garment by inflating an air receiving chamber around the waist and legs which will prevent water from entering and soaking the diaper.

Abstract: A water sport, fitness, exercise, life preserver, and therapy device (8) including a shortpant design with a flotation waist band (1) , and with an adjustable belt (3) to which flotation modules (10) are attached at various positions around the waist. Pockets (6A) for receiving flotation modules are distributed over the surface of the shortpant. Other material, for example, cups each with an adjustable opening, is arranged to provide adjustable resistance to motion through the water, and the belt has means to attach a tether which the user can exercise by moving to extend the tether. The shortpant is secured to the user via the belt (3) or via suspenders.

Abstract: A floatation suit for physically disabled persons includes a jacket, pants, and outrigger floatation members. The outriggers prevent the wearer from tilting or rotating and assist in floatation. By selectively affixing long and short outriggers to both or either the jacket or pants, the degree and location of buoyancy will be controllable. A collar floatation member is attachable to the jacket to stabilize the wearer's head and neck. All components are constructed so as to allow the disabled person to float in the water for recreational and therapeutic purposes, while maintaining the wearer's body in a desired position.

Abstract: A garment for use in water recreation in the form of a unitary flat member generally of a figure-8 construction having a front portion and a back portion, the portions being connected by a narrow crotch portion, the member being of soft, flexible and floatable material, such as closed cell foam plastic, and fasteners affixed to the front and back portions, the member being wearable by a user in which the crotch portion is positioned between the legs of the user and with the front portion in contact with the user's abdomen and the back portion in contract with the user's buttocks and lower back so that the garment floats the user in a generally upright or seated position.