Abstract: A flotation assembly designed to keep an individual afloat in water comprising a size adjustable harness adapted to fit the torso of an individual, to which are attached bottle closure devices. The closure devices are designed to have empty bottles inserted therein so as to form a substantially water-tight seal. The number of attached closure devices, and the size of the bottles inserted therein are chosen so that the degree of buoyancy desired is obtained, given the size of the individual and the purpose for which the buoyancy is required. Different types of closure devices are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a buoyancy compensator for a diver having a single thickness wall formed of substantially non-stretchable material that has been coated with a meltable plastic. The buoyancy compensator walls on the interior portion with the meltable plastic are adhered to each other in rounded areas or ribs having rounded ends to avoid stress when the buoyancy compensator is under pressure and provide a conformation to the buoyance compensator with a limitation of expansion in different areas of the walls of enhancement of the overall configuration and improved buoyancy relationship of a diver at a particular portion of the buoyancy compensator. The entire buoyancy compensator is served by inflation means and overexpansion gas valving means. The buoyancy compensator is fitted and secured by means of belts and shoulder straps for respective waist adjustment and shoulder and side portion adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aquatic exercise device and more specifically to such a device which provides substantially unlimited versatility in performing an infinite number of aquatic exercises in substantially any body position that might be desired. Prior art devices such as life vests, jackets and the like are only adapted to support a user in a substantially upright position with others not being universally adaptable to all sizes of users. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a pair of interconnected flotation members which afford superior support for the user without restricting any desired movement of selected portions of the body.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator adjustment for a diver's buoyancy compensator having a backpack and a back portion terminating in side and shoulder portions. The shoulder portions and side portions are each secured by straps overlying the chest extending from the side portions to the shoulder portions. The straps are looped through belt loops to provide a bight under tension which is loosened upon lifting or disengaging one of the belt loops.

Abstract: There is disclosed an underwater jacket including an outside waterproof cloth and an inside waterproof cloth, said outside and inside cloths being put one upon the other and connected together at their marginal edges by sewing to form a jacket body into which air can be injected. The outside and inside cloths are partially connected to each other by high-frequency welding at a portion or portions where the cloths are to be folded or curved during use. At least one hole is formed through the outside and inside cloths at the portion, and a bolt made of plastic material is passed through the hole, while a nut made of plastic material is fitted to a protruding end of the bolt on the other side of the cloths. Packings are interposed between the bolt and nut and the outside and inside cloths, respectively.

Abstract: An integrated custom underwater diving system including backpack, weight system, bouyancy compensator, and equipment bag. The backpack has adjustable shoulder supports for conforming to the shape of the shoulders and torso of a diver and an integral weight system having a quick-release mechanism. The equipment bag has a plurality of compartments for storing and safely transporting diving equipment, the back and ends of which are provided with a semi-rigid sheath for protecting the contents of the bag during shipping, and compartments along the sides thereof for receiving diving fins which provide protection along the sides of the bag during shipment. The backpack is designed for removably mounting on the front of the equipment bag such that the backpack provides protection to the front of the bag during shipping and handling. The equipment bag is also provided with straps which allow the bag to be carried on the backpack to and from dive sites.

Abstract: A life vest or preserver for a person who has encountered an emergency at sea or over some other body of water. The life preserver is provided with an inflatable lifesaving collar. Provided on the life preserver, around the armholes as well about the entire lower edge, are pocket-like containers that can be closed. Arm and leg coverings are removably secured in the pocket-like containers in such a way that those parts of the arm and leg coverings that are removed from the containers can, as a protective covering, be placed about the hands, arms, feet, legs, and abdomen of the wearer, with each of these parts being provided with a zipper. Formed preferably in the foot portions of the leg coverings are slits, each of which is provided over its entire length with a closure that opens automatically under compressive load.

Abstract: An automatic rescue apparatus for deploying a flotation device. The unit can be mounted vertically on the rail of a vessel or horizontally on the deck. The rescue apparatus has a life ring, a launcher housing containing a radio receiver and a trigger device and incorporating a life ring launching arm, a housing containing a collapsed inflatable marker buoy and a CO.sub.2 inflation assembly, and a portable battery-powered transmitter worn by an individual on a vessel. Ejection and resulting inflation of the marker buoy as well as simultaneous deployment of the life ring are actuated by a radio signal received from the transmitter worn by the overboard person.

Abstract: A flotation device for athletic training or for hydrotherapy utilizes a vest-like member which encases buoyant members of unequal buoyancy such that a wearer is supported in water in an upright position, yet inclined slightly forward, and immersed above the shoulders. The vest is fitted to the wearer by adjustment and retaining straps and provides complete unhampered freedom of movement of the appendages whereby the user may exercise using the same biomechanical motions involved in a like exercise performed out of the water.

Abstract: An inflatable flotation device is formed of two adjustably inflatable chambers superimposed one upon another and joined by an airtight seam substantially circumscribing the periphery of the chambers and conforming generally to the outline of a user's hand and lower forearm, and a hollow portion arranged between adjacent sides of the inflatable chambers defines a space for receiving such user's hand and lower forearm. The two chambers are in mutual fluid communication and controlling the extent of inflation of the device controls the tightness of fit about the user's hand and lower forearm. A sealed area in one of the two chambers is corresponds generally to the location of the user's palm to facilitate bending of the device in the inflated mode.

Abstract: A substantially indestructible, long wearing, life preserver teddy bear toy is constructed with a shaped body of foam plastic enveloped in a tough, snug fitting, water repellant, close fitting fabric outer layer so that the body absorbs less than 5% of its total weight when immersed in water and has enough buoyancy to support a child.

Abstract: A personal flotation assistance device includes a housing having an open end, a cover pivotally movable from a first position closing the open end and a second position opening that end, a container of pressurized fluid having a frangible membrane, a pin for puncturing the membrane, an expandable envelope disposed in an initially collapsed condition, and a gear assembly connecting the cover and pin. User manipulation of the cover to move the same from its first to its second position causes pin movement both rotationally about its axis and translationally along that axis into membrane puncturing abutment, thereby releasing the pressurized fluid for inflating the envelope to provide the user with flotation assistance. Cover movement to its second from its first position additionally serves to clear the housing open end thus enabling expansion of the inflating envelope outwardly from the housing interior.

Abstract: An automatically disconnecting connector apparatus for a floatable device, such as a fisherman's float tube, includes one coupling member having an aperture and another coupling member having another aperture. The other coupling member is bifurcated so that it can receive the first-mentioned coupling member therein. In this relationship, the apertures of the coupling members are aligned for receiving a shaft of a pin member which is retained in the apertures by gravity when the floatable device is in an upright position. The pin member is automatically extracted in response to gravity when the floatable device is overturned, thereby automatically disconnecting the connector apparatus.

Abstract: A person emergency rescue assembly comprising a container attachable to a person with an automatically inflatable flotation device stored in the container. The container is readily opened by pulling on a release so that the flotation device automatically inflates.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a swimming and rescue aid having a disk shape for securing to the upper arm and comprising at least a one flat ring disk, the thickness of which is small relative to its outer diameter. The disk is elastic at least in the area of the arm or it comprises an arm passage opening having an elastic, expandible edge.

Abstract: The following specification sets forth a conformable buoyancy compensator that conforms to a user's body in a uniform manner during use. The buoyancy compensator incorporates an interior bladder having a plurality of heat sealed pleats or insets around the shoulder area in order to provide conformity of the buoyancy compensator to a user's body. The bladder further comprises interior reinforced gussets that retain the conformation of the bladder in a plurality of air channels or pockets that conform to the frontal areas of a user's body. The arm openings are free and open for a user to extend one's arms. Between the front and back portions of the air channels are a plurality of side panels that can be made of spandex, elastic, or can be configured of suitable strapping. The buoyancy compensator has vents. Vented pockets are provided for the receipt of a second stage regulator therein, as well as providing for other specific storage of items used by a diver.

Abstract: An emergency rescue assembly comprising a container attachable to a boat so as to overhang the water, with an automatically inflatable location or flotation device stored in the container. The container is readily opened by a pull on a release so that the device falls into the water and automatically inflates.

Abstract: A flotation device for supporting a person in water comprises an elongate tubular frame including at least one body-support member, and front and rear float assemblies mounted on the frame. The rear float assembly comprises two float elements spaced apart transversely of the elongate frame, and the float elements are so disposed that, when the device is floating in the water, the body-support member is below water level, so that a person using the device is partly in the water.

Abstract: A water recreational device is the subject of the present invention. The device includes a generally curvilinear flotation member which has an inner section of relatively rigid construction characterized by an ability to support the weight of one or more persons. This section is covered by an outer section of relatively soft resilient material which provides for safety and comfort of a user. The inner section may be formed of relatively rigid foam or a relatively high pressure inflated body. The outer member may be formed of relatively soft resilient foam or may be a relatively low pressure inflated body.

Abstract: A buoy for supplementing the buoyancy of a swimmer's legs comprising, a unitary foam member (11) having a flexible generally water impervious skin (41) adapted for engagement with and selective retention by the legs of a swimmer, the foam member having spaced cylindrical elements (12,13), being of generally prolate circular cross section (14,15), the circular cross section (15) of one of the cylindrical elements being substantially smaller than the circular cross section (14) of the other of the cylindrical elements and a shank (25) spacing and joining the cylindrical elements and being substantially narrower than the circular cross section of either of said cylindrical elements (12,13).

Abstract: The practice device has convexly rounded streamlined sides which flank a flat thinner center portion to provide hollows at each face which generally conform to the insides of the thighs of the user and is held between the thighs during arm stroke practice. During leg kick practice the sides of the device are held by the hands of the swimmer for use as a "kick board". Hand hold recesses can be provided on the sides to facilitate gripping during kick-board use, and the sides of the hollows can diverge to better conform to the configuration of the insides of the thighs.

Abstract: A stretcher and litter combination, including a buoyant raft-like structure adapted for use as a rescue or recovery litter, and a buoyant stretcher. The litter has pontoons on either side of an elongated body section. The stretcher is in the form of an elongated board releasably secured to the body section of the litter.